The first batch of 14 Nepali caregivers under the government-to-government channel reached Israel on Sunday, the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) said on Monday.

Officials at the DoFE said that the process is underway to send the remaining 46 women caregivers in coming weeks. The DoFE had selected 60 people—49 women and 11 men between the age of 25 and 45—out of the 139 applicants who met the requirements related to education, training, age and height. They had also taken a language test.

Israel had stopped hiring Nepalis through recruitment agencies in April 2009. The candidates will have to pay a maximum of Rs100,000 in expenses, including air ticket, health examination, insurance and contribution towards the welfare fund. Israel is a popular job destination for Nepali women due to lucrative pay, safe working environment and low recruitment cost. A Nepali caregiver in Israel earns around Rs100,000 each month.