Return of Palestinian construction workers to Israel without isolation - answering a shortage of manpower or dangerous step to health?

• 21 consecutive days of work

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  Freepik

Produced by the Department of Special Additives

46,000 Palestinian construction workers were allowed to return to work in Israel without the need for 14 days of isolation. The controversial step raises the question of whether this is a danger to public health, or during a pledge given the shortage of workforce in the construction industry.

The decision was made in light of the increase in morbidity in the Palestinian Authority, with the aim of preventing daily entry of workers into Israel. The Palestinian prime minister has urged workers not to leave the PA, but most have not accepted his demand. In Hebron, as we know, the number of patients is particularly high and it has been closed.

The return of Palestinian workers, despite the wave of morbidity in the PA, is being made in an attempt to cope with the labor shortage in the construction industry. Unlike foreign workers coming from China or Europe, Palestinian workers will not be required for 14 days of isolation.

"The guideline for returning foreign workers is 14 days in an isolation apartment before returning to work. There is no reason not to demand this from the Palestinians either, "said Eldad Nitzan, chairman of the Foreign Workers' Union corporation for the construction industry.

The Ministry of Housing said that because of the importance of the construction industry to the economy and the economy - 6.5 percent of GDP, the Palestinians were allowed to return using the capsule method.

The workers will come to Israel by direct shuttle to the work site. For at least 21 days, they will work on site, curtain on the site itself or in a nearby apartment. They will be prohibited from leaving the site, not even for ventilation, exit to the adjacent sidewalk or to buy food. On their way from their residence to the construction site, they will be required to wear a mask and keep a distance. Responsibility for maintaining the procedures will be on the contractor. The contractor will take care of providing his employees with the food they need and various needs, such as laundry services.

Towards the end of the 21-day period, decisions will be made on continuing the policy on the issue. If the outline continues, it means that at the end of each cycle the employee will return to his or her home for the weekend's rest, and then return for another 21 consecutive days.

Any employer who chooses to invite workers will be asked to fill out an online form and appoint a responsible Corona, who will oversee compliance with the Ministry of Health guidelines.

In emergency regulations, "adequate accommodation" was defined. The question of whether a construction site can be considered a suitable dwelling when there is no running water or a kitchen. Is it reasonable to imprison people for three consecutive weeks within a construction site?

Asked if there is no fear of contagion, the Ministry of Construction and Housing replied: "The work in the Corona routine will be managed in a way that will allow control and prevention of morbidity and inclusion of morbidity, should God forbid.

"There is no escape but to find a balance between the state of health and the economy. The policy of Palestinian workers' entry has been established in coordination with the Ministry of Health and the NSC, with the utmost attention to ensure the safety and health of the workers and the citizens of Israel. Evidently, in this first wave, this outline worked with great success and ensured the safety of the workers, as well as continued continuous activity in the construction industry. ”

"With the rise in morbidity, there was a fundamental need to find a quick and high-quality solution for the real estate industry," explained MK Yitzhak Litzman, Minister of Construction and Housing. "The approved outline will allow the functional continuity of the construction industry to be maintained along with maintaining suitable accommodation and accommodation for the workers."

"The director general of the firm, Yair Pines, commented:" The mechanism we have approved will allow a broad response to the construction industry, both to contractors and employees, while at the same time providing protection to the public. "

Produced by the Department of Special Additives