The Knesset Committee on the Foreign Workers’ Problem met for a special discussion on Wednesday with Health Minister Yael German regarding the health services provided to foreign workers. Committee Chair Michal Rosin (Meretz) said, “In many of the cases, this disadvantaged population does not receive health services. As a result, they do not get health protection and endanger the health of the Israeli public.”

“We cannot ignore people, foreign workers or asylum seekers, who are in medical distress and are staying here, even if in the future a decision is made to return them to their state of origin,” MK Dov Khenin (Hadash) said. “They must receive a health solution regardless of their civil status.” Dr. Miki Dor of the Health Ministry revealed that there are between 150,000 and 250,000 foreign workers who have no health insurance. Regarding the foreign workers’ children, he said “The state of Israel has signed an international treaty on caring for children and therefore provides the services they require. However, only about half of the illegal aliens’ children are insured, probably because the service is not provided for free. There is an access problem and a fear of institutional care.”