Sri Lanka and Israel marking a historical landmark in the bilateral relations between the countries signed a bilateral agreement on the Temporary Employment of Sri Lankan workers in specific Labour Market Sectors in Israel at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel in Jerusalem on February 24, a release issued by the Foreign Relations Ministry said.
Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations Ministry Secretary D.M.S. Abayagunawardana and the Minister of the Interior of the State of Israel Aryeh Machluf Deri signed the agreement while an Addendum of the Implementation Protocol to the agreement was signed by Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLBFE) Director N.P. Thibbotumunuwa and Director General of the Population and Immigration Border Authority of Israel (PIBA) Prof. Mor Yosef.
The aim of the agreement is to ensure a legal, fair and transparent recruitment process for Sri Lankans to work in Israel as Caregivers.
The agreement will require both countries to work together to improve the process of selection, recruitment, placement, arrival and employment of Sri Lankan Caregivers as well as their return to Sri Lanka after the temporary employment and to promote the protection of the labour rights of Sri Lankan Caregivers in Israel.
Through this agreement, more job opportunities will be available for Sri Lankans to work as Caregivers in Israel at a drastically reduced initial cost. Further, it will help to increase the foreign exchange flows into the country strengthening the economy of Sri Lanka.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Israel Waruna Wilpatha, Deputy General Manager (Marketing & Recruitment) of the SLBFE R.K.K.M.P. Randeniya, First Secretary Mahesh Gunawardana and Second Secretary (Labour & Welfare) Ruwan Wickramasinghe of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Israel were also participated at the signing ceremony representing Sri Lanka while Deputy Director General, Asia and the Pacific Division Ambassador Gilad Cohen, Deputy Director General of the Consular Affairs Division Stella Rapp and Deputy Head of the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel Eyal Siso, Director of Bilateral Agreements of PIBA Shirly Raisin – Sasson, Ombudswomen for Foreign Workers Labour Rights, Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Social Services of Israel Adv. Shri Lev – ran and other senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel represented the Israeli side.
(Daily News)