Nepal’s Department of Foreign Employment has opened applications for the selection of 2,300 caregivers for long-term care centres in Israel.

According to a notice issued by the department on Wednesday, eligible applicants can apply until June 21. Of the total quota, 60 percent seats have been allocated for women.

The recruitment process is being carried out through the government mechanism in line with the labour agreement between Nepal and Israel for sending workers to long-term care centres.

The department said 1,000 of those selected will be sent immediately. Final selection among eligible candidates will be made through a lucky draw.

Selected workers will be required to provide care to people of any age with severe physical and mental disabilities. The contract period will be up to five years.

The department has also set eligibility criteria for applicants. Candidates must be between 25 and 45 years old and weigh at least 45 kilograms.

Applicants must have passed Grade 10 and completed at least 15 months of study in Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) or CMA-related subjects, or passed Grade 12 or equivalent and completed a three-month caregiver training course from a training institution recognised by the Nepal government.

Applicants must also submit a certificate showing they have passed the English language test specified by Israel.

Caregivers selected for Israel will receive a monthly salary of 6,443 Israeli shekels, equivalent to around Rs347,000. However, workers will have to bear their own food, accommodation and travel costs.

Israel has been recruiting caregivers from Nepal for long-term care centres since August 2022. While the number of workers sought initially was limited, the process has gradually expanded amid growing labour shortages in Israel.