“Migrant Workers again” A letter to the Jerusalem Post | iSavta
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“Migrant Workers again” A letter to the Jerusalem Post

The issue of Migrant Workers are again on the forefront. I cannot resist sending a letter to the Jerusalem post about the status of illegal migrant workers especially that there is a sweeping resentment by Israelis against migrant workers particularly those from Africa. I am a legal(for the time being) migrant worker, working in the caregiving sector and there will come an inevitable time that I will lose my legal working permit, possibly arising from the death of my employer if I am more than 51 months here in Israel. The solution that I am suggesting would not be embraced by everybody but it would benefit everyone who wants to stay, work and save diligently (the core reason why we are here in Israel) so that when the time's up, you can go back with a light heart knowing at heart you had done your best. We came to Israel knowing that there is a time limit and should make the best of it so that at the end, there will be no finger pointing of who's to blame.

The original content of my letter that was published 11/6/2012 on the letter to the editor section. The published version is edited perhaps to save space. “Sir, In light of the growing violent protest that is sweeping across Israel against illegal migrants, I cannot help but think of a solution for us migrants who entered Israel legally but become illegal particularly those who work in the caregiving/domestic field. Becoming illegal commonly arises from 2 situations. First, losing/ending the job for whatever reason. Second, for women only, becoming pregnant and raising a baby/family. These two problems can simply be solved by extending the time limit of legal stay to 8 years instead of the measly 4 years and 3 months. Extending the legal time limit in lieu of obtaining an Israeli citizenship will be embraced by a greater number of migrant workers. Legal working time is very crucial to us. We came to Israel paying astronomical sums in the hope of improving our impoverished status in our home country. We work very, very hard for our salary, giving more than what is required of us. We are not a burden to the Israeli society and government. It's just that 4 years and 3 months is just enough to make a financial break-even since the 1st year is for paying the fees charged by manpower agencies. That's why many opted to stay and work despite their illegal status. We are also red-blooded human beings who need relationships regardless that we are migrant workers. Getting pregnant and raising a family is all part of the human equation. For most, abortion is not an option so being pro-life means ending as an illegal. Is it too much to ask the Immigration Department to make a compromise on the longer legal time limit of stay in Israel? A little understanding coupled with a teeny weeny drop of compassion would go a long way in solving the illegal migrant workers in the caregiving/domestic sector.”

Compromising from both side would eliminate a great deal of unnecessary “balagan”.

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