Israel is set to recruit 2,300 more Nepali caregivers to work in long-term care facilities under the government-to-government labour agreement.

Nepal’s Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) said it is preparing to issue a new recruitment notice based on the quota allocated by Israeli authorities.

The Israel Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) in Jerusalem had sent the new quota in February. However, the recruitment process was delayed due to Nepal’s parliamentary elections and tensions in West Asia.

Under the labour agreement between Nepal and Israel, a public notice for worker selection must be issued within 40 days of receiving the demand letter from PIBA.

DoFE Director General Mira Acharya said the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has already instructed the department to move ahead with the recruitment process.

“We have already received the new demand letter from PIBA,” she said. “Instructions have also been received from the ministry to issue a notice for selecting new workers.”

In the second phase of recruitment, Israel selected 2,112 workers through a lucky draw on August 29 from among 3,262 qualified applicants. Of them, around 1,900 have already travelled to Israel.

According to PIBA, 1,154 applicants who were not selected in the lucky draw and have been waiting for a year will get another opportunity to participate in a new draw. However, they must pass the required English language examination.

Some waiting candidates said priority should be given to those who had already qualified in the previous round.

“Our qualifications had already met the criteria,” one applicant said. “After those selected through the lucky draw are sent, we should also be given the opportunity.”

Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Shmulik Arie Bass said all previously qualified caregivers would be allowed to compete again under the agreement.

“All 1,154 candidates who were previously qualified for caregiver jobs under the agreement will be given another opportunity to compete with other applicants,” he told Kantipur.

“Israel views Nepali workers as highly dedicated, reliable and honest. Problems involving Nepali workers are extremely minimal,” he added.

Israel began recruiting Nepali caregivers for long-term care centres in August 2022. After workers selected in the first phase departed, the second round of recruitment started on June 25, 2024.

Caregivers working in Israel receive a monthly salary of 5,884 Israeli shekels, equivalent to around Rs300,000. Workers are required to cover their own food and accommodation expenses.

Applicants must be between 25 and 45 years old, weigh at least 45 kilograms, and meet educational and training requirements. Candidates must either have completed Grade 10 along with at least 15 months of Auxiliary Nurse Midwife or Certified Medical Assistant training, or completed Grade 12 and a three-month caregiving course from a training institution recognised by the Nepal government.

According to the department, selected Nepali workers will be employed at long-term care centres caring for severely disabled people below 65 years of age.