Israeli Gov’t approves measures to boost employment for olim and remove licensing barriers

The government approved on Wednesday a draft resolution designed to encourage the employment of olim and eliminate licensing obstacles.

The resolution places a strong emphasis on a 90-day period during which all relevant government ministries will recommend strategies to remove licensing barriers and provide employment opportunities for new immigrants.This decision represents a pivotal moment in the quest to streamline bureaucratic hurdles and harness the valuable skills and expertise brought by olim.

The government unanimously approved the proposal presented by Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer (Religious Zionist Party), which simplifies licensing procedures. The initiative engages various government ministries, with the findings anticipated to be unveiled in early November. A comprehensive plan is scheduled for submission to the government for approval in January.

Contributions to Israel from Olim

Each year, thousands of olim arrive in Israel armed with highly sought-after professional skills. Recent government statistics highlight an influx of more than 7,000 engineers, 3,500 programmers and software engineers, 4,000 medical professionals, 4,000 teachers, and other essential experts.

A 2022 Deloitte study commissioned by the Aliyah and Integration Ministry underscored the economic advantages of enhancing employment integration for olim. Over a 10-year period, the study projected an additional NIS 4 billion in government revenue, along with approximately 4,000 vacant licensed positions.

One of the primary challenges confronting olim is navigating the diverse licensing requirements across different countries. Olim often must demonstrate their qualifications and sometimes undergo additional training to obtain Israeli work licenses, despite their extensive experience in their home countries. These processes frequently involve a substantial amount of bureaucracy, hindering the seamless integration of olim into the job market and sometimes compelling them to forsake their careers in favor of lower-skilled positions.

The Education, Justice, Economy, Agriculture, Welfare and Social Affairs, Culture and Sport, and Construction and Housing ministries plan to collaborate on the project. They will scrutinize the licensing requirements imposed on olim in their respective sectors in an effort to identify key barriers and propose measures to simplify these requirements within a two-month time frame.

Sofer said he had “no doubt that easing the bureaucracy that hinders the integration of olim will encourage Jewish individuals in the Diaspora to take the necessary steps toward making Aliyah.”