Israel’s Hotel Industry Seeks 2,000 Skilled Filipino Workers as Tourism Surges in 2025
As Israel welcomes the return of global tourism in 2025—lifting most travel and health restrictions and allowing entry to both vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors—the country’s hospitality sector is preparing for a major comeback. With the expected influx of tourists, especially during Holy Week and Passover, the demand for hotel staff is rapidly growing.
According to historical data, over 4.5 million international tourists visited Israel during Holy Week prior to the pandemic. This resurgence in travel is now reigniting the need for a robust workforce across the country’s hotels.
To address this need, Philippine Ambassador to Israel, Macairog Alberto, met with representatives from the Israel Hotel Association (IHA) on March 14 to accelerate the deployment of the initial 500 Filipino hotel workers. This first group is set to arrive in early April 2025, just in time for the holiday season.
The IHA expressed readiness to hire up to 2,000 Filipino workers, stating that their member hotels may require as many as 10,000 staff to fully support operations. The association also praised Filipino workers for their professionalism, strong English communication skills, and outstanding work ethic.
Ambassador Alberto assured IHA officials that the Philippine Embassy is working in close coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Israeli labor and immigration authorities to facilitate the swift and smooth deployment of workers.
Competitive Salary and Benefits
Filipino hotel housekeepers in Israel can expect a minimum monthly salary of 5,300 NIS (approximately PHP 86,000). However, workers are responsible for covering the following deductions:
- 10% income tax
- 125 NIS for medical insurance
- 568 NIS for housing
- Additional expenses for food, phone, and transportation
Qualifications
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must have an NC II Certification in Housekeeping from TESDA
- At least 25 years old
- Physically and mentally fit
- Proficient in English
- Must not have a parent, spouse, or child currently living or working in Israel
- No prior work experience in Israel
Required Documents
- Valid NBI Clearance
- TESDA-issued NC II in Housekeeping
- UMID card or UMID Common Reference Number
- Philippine passport valid for at least three (3) years
- Printed copy of the Worker’s Information Sheet or E-registration form
According to the DMW, applicants who were previously selected in the random draw but have not yet been assigned contracts will be prioritized. Hotel workers whose contracts were ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic are not required to reapply.
A Government-to-Government Partnership
This deployment program is part of the 2018 bilateral labor agreement between the Philippines and Israel, which facilitates a government-to-government hiring process. No recruitment agencies are involved, ensuring transparency and protection for all workers.
The agreement was signed during President Rodrigo Duterte’s official visit to Israel in September 2018 and officially took effect in December 2020. Since then, the DMW and Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) have conducted nationwide recruitment campaigns.
How to Apply
Interested applicants may register through the official DMW online portal:
👉 DMW Online Services
For further inquiries or assistance, applicants are encouraged to visit the nearest DMW regional office with all required documentation. A directory of DMW offices is available on the agency’s official website.
