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The Israeli government has decided to deport 17 Sri Lankans who violated their employment contracts.
These Sri Lankans had arrived in Israel on agricultural work visas, but they abandoned their assigned jobs to work in bakeries. They were apprehended by Israeli authorities and are set to be deported soon, according to Sri Lankan Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara.
Highlighting Israel’s strict monitoring of foreign workers, Ambassador Bandara explained that foreign nationals cannot legally switch from one visa category to another after arriving in Israel. Israeli authorities have emphasised that individuals must adhere to the terms of their visa, which specify the type of work they are authorised to undertake. Violating these conditions is considered illegal, he added.
Sri Lankan workers in Israel typically secure employment in agriculture, care-giving, hotel assistance, and construction. The Ambassador stressed that workers must perform the jobs specified in their visa agreements and urged everyone to respect these terms to avoid legal consequences.
In a related incident, a Sri Lankan woman who had arrived in Israel a year ago for care-giving work was deported for breaching her employment conditions. Additionally, a previous case saw an individual deported following allegations of theft.
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel continues to monitor such cases and advises workers to comply with local regulations to avoid complications.
Mahinda Aluthgedara
