Kathmandu, June 17:

The government of Israel is mulling to devise an ad hoc mechanism to recruit Nepali migrant workers.

In May 2007 Israel had imposed a temporary ban on Nepali workers citing lack of adequate linguistic and cultural knowledge and poor job proficiency.

“The government of Israel may devise an ad hoc solution to resume recruiting Nepali migrant workers in Israel,” Israeli Ambassador Dan Stav told this daily today.

For temporary adjustment, the Ministry of Home might nominate manpower agents in Israel to recruit workforce through Nepali agencies, Stav said.

While issuing the ban last year, the Israeli government had set two conditions before it could resume recruiting Nepali workforce.

First, Nepal had to set up a functioning mission in Israel. Secondly, Nepal’s recruiting process had to undergo a comprehensive change, including a contract with the International Organisation of Migration, which regulates migration.

Nepal has fulfiled the first condition by opening an Embassy in Israel in August 2007. “The second condition,” said Stav, “could be met through three options — a contract with the IOM or a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries or the Israeli government’s recently proposed ad hoc solution.”

“Israel has decided for a comprehensive resolution to control the growing number of problems

regarding exploitation of foreign migrants in Israel,” said Stav.

Keshar Bahadur Baniya, director general of the Department of Labour, said that the government is waiting for Israel’s decision on the recruitment process.