Employment of Foreign Workers

Before employing a foreign worker, it’s important to know that the employment conditions for foreign workers are largely identical to those of Israeli workers. For example, foreign workers are entitled to:

* National Insurance for foreign workers
* Minimum wage
* Annual leave
* Travel expenses
* Convalescence pay
* Severance pay
* Pension insurance for foreign workers
* Health insurance
* Suitable accommodation

However, in some cases, there are conditions unique to foreign workers. Employment conditions vary according to profession, and there are specific regulations adapted for foreign workers in different employment sectors. Therefore, it’s important to conduct a comprehensive review of the required conditions, according to the employment characteristics and profession of the foreign worker, and ensure correct implementation of the process from start to finish.

It’s important that the conditions are fully detailed in an employment agreement, which must be signed by both the employer and the employee as a necessary condition before starting employment.

Since this is a complex issue with many potential implications, it’s advisable to carry out the process through a law firm experienced in this field. The starting point is that the employment of a foreign worker must be in accordance with regulations, procedures, and laws, in order to prevent unnecessary claims that could amount to large sums of money, sometimes just due to lack of knowledge of the law.

In recent years, we’ve witnessed more and more cases where people employ foreign workers without a permit, either due to lack of knowledge or thinking they can evade the law and save money. In practice, this is a complete mistake, as there is now comprehensive enforcement on this issue.

The starting point is that the employment of a foreign worker must be in accordance with regulations, procedures, and laws, in order to prevent unnecessary claims that could amount to large sums of money, sometimes just due to lack of knowledge of the law. The amount of administrative fines stands at several thousand or tens of thousands of shekels for each worker employed illegally, or even double fines in case of repeated offenses.

Moreover, violating a foreign worker’s rights could amount to a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment and even higher fines.

Note that this doesn’t only refer to cases where a permit is not obtained, but also to additional offenses such as not holding the relevant employment documents or not providing authorities with salary details and deduction lists.

At the beginning of employment, during employment, and at the end of the employer-employee relationship, various legal questions may arise with enormous economic and social implications, both for the employer and the employee.

For this purpose, there is a need for close legal advice that will allow you to get answers to various legal questions and ensure your compliance with the law.

The unique experience of Zari Hazan & Co. Law Firm, which spans both labor law and immigration law in Israel, allows the firm to provide comprehensive solutions in all aspects of foreign worker employment and foreign worker employment conditions.

Among our clients are a variety of large and small companies from the fields of high-tech, hospitality, nursing care, agriculture, and more, and therefore we can provide top-notch professional solutions regarding foreign worker employment conditions in various fields.

Foreign worker employment conditions are a complex matter for those not well-versed in Israeli labor laws.

We recommend that you seek legal advice on this matter in order to employ workers in accordance with the law and avoid future complications.