KATHMANDU: Migrant labourers working in Israel contribute $2.52 billion (6.66 billion Israeli shekels) to the country’s gross domestic production (GDP), Ha’aretz news agency reported on Friday. Israel’s GPD was $163.96 billion in 2008. The average rate of expenditure is $6,800 a worker per annum.

The average migrant worker spends $392 on board and $150 on clothes, insurance and other accessories a month. Labour rights related cost is $8 and communication cost is $16 per month. Medical insurance is expensive — $1.32 per day — in Israel, so over 90 per cent labour, working in unorganized sectors, are uninsured in Israel.

Around 3,70,000 migrant labourers are working in agriculture, trade and service sectors, Ha’aretz reported citing the Ministry of Interior. Most of the labourers have two-year work permits, and only 90,000 have work visa for five years. Most of the five-year visa holders are Chinese and Filipino.

Israel is a lucrative destination for Nepali women migrant workers. Around 12,000 Nepalis are believed to be working there and of whom 10,000 are women working as care-givers. According to Ha’aretz, Nepali workers spend $9,000 per head to reach Israel for taking job of $650 per month.

The average expenditure of Israel-bound labourers is $6,200. Israeli companies spend $20,000 to fetch in the Chinese who get better salaries of $1,800 per month and visa period of five years. The Chinese are more concentrated in industry, trade and commerce sectors.

Thais and Nepalis follow the trail to Israel but their income is remarkably different — Thais earn twice as much as Nepalis. Filipinos give $5,000 to reach Israel and earn $900 per month.