22 March 2005, Tel Aviv, Israel — Philippine Ambassador to Tel Aviv Antonio C. Modena reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that members of the Knesset, the legislative body of Israel, gave high praises for Filipino caregivers working in Israel.

"They are the best and they took care of my sister as if she were their relative," Naomi Blumenthal, a Member of the Knesset, said of the Filipina who took care of her sister.

"The nurse who is taking care of my mother is part of our family. We don't feel at ease every time she takes a day off even when there is a substitute caregiver. She is a gem.  Filipinos have very good reputation in Israel," MK Avraham Poraz, a former Interior Minister, said.

The MKs made their remarks during dinner hosted by Ambassador Modena for the delegation of the State of Israel to the Inter-Parliamentary Union to be held in Manila on 2-5 April.   The IPU will be hosted by Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Jose de Venecia.

Ambassadors from Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, and India also attended the dinner, Ambassador Modena said.

Heading the Israeli IPU delegation is MK Majallie Whbee, with MKs Blumenthal, Poraz, Avshalom Vilan and Arie Hanh, Secretary-General of the Knesset, as members.

During dinner, Ambassador Modena and the other Asian Ambassadors urged the MKs to pass a law that would remove the five-year maximum stay visa for foreign workers in Israel. The Asian ambassadors said that they could not replace their household workers every five years, as working in a diplomatic home is a matter of trust.

Ambassador Modena took advantage of the opportunity to urge the MKs to also change Israel's policy of granting visas to caregivers, but specific to employers.   When the employer dies, the Filipino has only 30 days to look for a new employer.    He explained that for the Filipino it would be difficult to find a new employer in 30 days as the caregiver is also in mourning as the OFW has developed a personal attachment to the person being cared for.

The Philippine envoy said that an additional 60 days would allow the Filipino caregiver to mourn the loss of a close friend and time to look for a new employer.   Filipinos who lost their employer should not be considered as illegal workers after the 30 day grace period is over, but should be seen as a pool of experienced workers who already speak Hebrew, know Israel's society and religious traditions, Ambassador Modena said.

The MKs agreed citing “the outstanding services that Filipino caregivers are giving their relatives.”   They said that there are many MKs sympathetic to the plight of Filipinos but it will take time before a new law on visa would be passed.

The MKs, however, said that a law passed recently by the Knesset has removed the five-year maximum stay for caregivers. Since 90% of caregivers in Israel are Filipinos, this is a pro-Filipino law, the MKs stressed.

Ambassador Modena also briefed the Israel delegation on Philippine politics, economy and culture.   He also cited the fact that when other countries closed their doors to the Jews escaping from Nazi Europe, the Philippines invited them in and even offered to set up a settlement for Jewish refugees.

The MKs also recalled the visit of Senate President Franklin Drilon in Israel in 2004 and suggested that exchange of visits between Philippine and Israel parliamentarians would further strengthen the ties between the two countries.  END.