On May 11, ACRI and partner organizations Kav LaOved and Hotline for Migrant Workers intervened before government ministers to protest a proposal to immediately and drastically reduce the number of migrants working in agriculture in Israel: From 29,000 today to 23,5000 by the end of 2009, and to 20,000 in 2010. The outcome of this proposal would be the expulsion of some 10,000 migrant workers.
The intervention stressed the severe and irreversible harm that would be inflicted on these workers, many of whom arrived in Israel in recent months, in light of the huge financial debt accumulated by migrants throughout the process of arriving in Israel and attaining a legal work permit. The organizations pointed out the accountability of the Israeli authorities, in particular their refusal to sign bilateral agreements with countries from where migrant workers originate.
The organizations stated that it is the responsibility of the State to allow migrants working in agriculture to complete their employment period, enabling them to pay back their debts. If this is impossible, they added, the government should at least provide financial compensation for migrant workers, due to the huge financial difficulties it would be inflicting on them.
