“Foreign caregivers are forbidden from going on annual leave\sleeping in any accommodation other than the nursing home” – No. We did not make this quote up. It is cited from the instruction manual of “Mishan” (a network of senior living centres). “Mishan” is not alone in this. During the Coronavirus crisis, we received many complaints from migrant workers in caregiving, suggesting that they are practically imprisoned. In response, we appealed to the relevant authorities demanding that they cancel these instructions limiting the freedom of movement of caregivers. We are happy to share that our appeal was successful and resulted in the Ministry of Labor publishing an official statement regarding the matter – clearly stating that migrant workers should not be confined and must be allowed to go on annual leave, in accordance to the general instructions of the Ministry of Health.
The health instructions, published in early May, specified the conditions in which migrant caregivers can go on a leave and stay in a flat of their own, be it caregivers employed by private employers or by nursing homes.
Unfortunately, these instructions also limit the freedom of migrant workers who, unlike Israeli caregivers, are allowed to stay in alternative accommodation only if they stay there alone. Having no flatmates to share the monthly rent with makes this option unrealistic and in essence confines the workers to their employers. The workers whom after 3 months of non-stop work, with no rest or free time and without help for relatives – are stuck in an impossible limbo. All this is while most of the Israeli economy is back on track. The state should take care of these workers, who carry the weight of nursing the high-risk population on their shoulders - and provide them with accommodation options at its expense.