As Israel prepares to reopen its doors to tourists, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, the hotel industry is gearing up for an expected surge in visitors to the Holy Land. In response to this growing demand, Macairog Alberto, the Philippine Ambassador to Israel, recently met with officials from the Israel Hotel Association (IHA) to discuss the swift deployment of Filipino hotel workers. This article explores the partnership between Israel and the Philippines and highlights the opportunities available for Filipino workers in the Israeli hotel industry.

The Potential Workforce Subtitle: Fulfilling the Growing Demand

The IHA estimates that its members may require up to 10,000 personnel to meet the needs of the expanding tourism industry. Recognizing the professionalism, English skills, and work ethic of Filipino workers, the IHA is willing to hire an additional 800 hotel staff, bringing the total number of Filipino hotel workers to 2,000. This collaboration presents a promising prospect for both Israel and the Filipino workforce.

Benefits and Salary Subtitle: A Rewarding Opportunity

The hotel industry in Israel offers competitive wages for hotel housekeepers. The minimum wage is set at 5,300 NIS (approximately P86,000), although employees are responsible for additional expenses such as income tax (10%), medical insurance (125 NIS), housing (568 NIS), as well as personal expenses like food, phone, and transportation.

Qualifications and Requirements Subtitle: Getting Ready for Deployment

To qualify for employment, applicants should possess the following criteria:

1. Have a NCII Certification on Housekeeping.
2. Be at least 25 years old.
3. Be physically and mentally healthy.
4. Have a good command of English.
5. Do not have a parent, spouse, or children working or residing in Israel.
6. Have never worked previously in Israel.

In addition to the qualifications, interested individuals should meet the following requirements:

1. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance.
2. National Certificate Level 2 (NC II Housekeeping) from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
3. Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) or UMID Common Reference Number (CRN).
4. Philippine Passport (valid for at least three (3) years).
5. The printed copy of the Worker’s Information Sheet or the E-registration form.

It is important to note that applicants who have already applied and were included in the random selection process but have not yet been allocated contracts will be given priority. Furthermore, hotel employees whose contracts were terminated due to Covid-19 are not required to reapply.

How to apply

Applicants interested in applying for hotel positions in Israel can register by visiting the official website https://philippinego.com/. For further inquiries, individuals may visit POEA centers/offices and submit the necessary documents. A list of POEA centers/offices can be found on the POEA – Philippine Overseas Employment Administration website.