Decrease in the number of Nepali female caregiver applicants to Israel
KATHMANDU:- There has been a low number of applications from women in response to the Israeli government’s demand for Nepali workers to serve as caregivers. According to the Department of Foreign Employment, while Israel requested 1,132 female caregivers, only 690 applications—representing 61 percent of the requested number—were received from women.
The Department stated that for the male category, 1,145 applications were received—more than three times the demand for 332 positions. In the first week of last Ashoj, the Department had opened applications for 1,464 individuals to work as caregivers in Israel.
According to the Department, although approximately 16,000 applications were submitted, only 1,835 individuals completed the entire application process. Among those who completed the process, 1,687 passed the ‘English language proficiency’ test—a mandatory requirement for employment in Israel.
Gagan Bista, head of the department’s Israel branch, stated that a new challenge has emerged in the candidate selection and supply process: while there is high interest among men, the number of female applicants has fallen short of the demand. He further mentioned that the situation—characterized by a surplus of male applicants and a deficit of female applicants relative to the demand—has already been communicated to Israel through the Israeli Embassy in Nepal.
According to him, the number of applications received is 813 more than the demand for men, and 442 less than the demand for women. Bishta, the head of the branch, suggests that since passing the language test and completing the application process are distinct stages, it is possible that not everyone who passed the test has submitted an application.
The Department is currently reviewing and verifying the details of the applications received and has stated that it will publish the list of eligible candidates once this process is complete.
In the past, working as a caregiver in Israel was considered an attractive opportunity for women, offering both safety and a substantial income. However, the Department believes that, due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran and the associated security risks, Nepali women no longer appear keen on going there.
