By Yoav Noy, Partner |
The Population Authority recently announced a new procedure allowing the employment of foreign workers in vital and specific 171 national infrastructure projects outlined in the directive.
The main advantage of such authorization lies in the significantly lower wage requirements compared to specialized labor needed for the project. However, the company must demonstrate compliance with various prerequisites, including project compliance with the list of national projects and considerations regarding the worker’s country of origin, education, and more.
Target Audience Companies involved in the establishment, operation, or maintenance of one of those included national infrastructure and essential infrastructure projects according to the published list of vital infrastructure projects, which require the hiring of foreign workers. Among these projects:
- Electrical switching heavy equipment,
- Electrical transfer,
- Power stations,
- Electricity storage facilities,
- Seawater desalination facilities,
- Primary water conveyance systems,
- Wastewater treatment facilities,
- Solar power conduits,
- Oil refining facilities,
- Natural gas transportation systems,
- Airports,
- Seaports,
- Railways including metro and light rail,
- Public transportation routes
Conditions and Limitations Foreign workers must meet one of the following requirements:
- The worker’s country of origin is on Tier 1 of the U.S. Department of State’s human trafficking list.
- The worker’s country of origin has a gross national product equal to or higher than that of Israel.
- Recruitment under a bilateral recruitment arrangement for hiring foreign workers.
- The foreign worker has been employed by the company for at least 3 years.
- The foreign worker holds an academic degree, including engineering.
The maximum quota will stand at 1,950 workers on a first-come, first-served basis. Any remaining quota unused within 90 days will be forfeited and cannot be utilized.
A detailed special work permit application must be submitted according to the detailed terms outlined in the directive, based on the recommendation of the relevant government ministry, indicating the project’s vital nature.
Key Advantages Salary: Compliance with minimum wage or industry-specific wages as applicable (no need for high minimum wages as required in other categories).
The above information is general and does not encompass all clauses in the directive. For further details, it is recommended to consult with Kan-Tor & Acco.
