Israel Praises Cambodian Agricultural Worker Selection Process: Emphasizing Fairness, Transparency, and Professionalism

An Israeli delegation has highly praised the selection process for Cambodian agricultural workers, organized by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, for its fairness, transparency, and high professionalism. This assessment underscores confidence in the future of bilateral labor cooperation between the two countries. Ms. Shirly Raisin Sasson, Head of Bilateral Agreements at Israel's Foreign Labor Administration, led the delegation on a visit to Cambodia to directly observe and monitor the selection and interview process for Cambodian candidates applying to work in Israel's agricultural sector. She noted that the demand for labor in Israel's agricultural sector has been increasing year by year, creating opportunities for Israel to expand its recruitment of workers from various countries, including Cambodia. "We see the potential for recruiting skilled agricultural workers from Cambodia to work in Israel," stated Ms. Sasson. The Israeli delegation also commended the good partnership and professionalism of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training in organizing and implementing the selection process. Ms. Sasson emphasized that the Cambodian and Israeli sides have worked together as a team to ensure the selection process is conducted with transparency and in accordance with the agreed-upon criteria. She expressed gratitude to the leadership and working team of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training for their participation in organizing the exams and interviews, as well as for their close cooperation with the Israeli delegation throughout the entire process. "I am confident that the workers who will go to work in Israel will be skilled and professional. Due to the Ministry of Labour's work here, Cambodian workers going to work in Israel will build a good reputation, and this bilateral agreement will be successful," she stated. Mr. Sun Mesa, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, highlighted that the direct observation by the Israeli delegation demonstrates the shared responsibility of both countries in ensuring the credibility of the selection process. "The Ministry's goal is not just to send a large number of workers, but to ensure that every candidate is evaluated based on their abilities and the defined criteria equally. The direct observation by the Israeli side further confirms that this process is being carried out with transparency, fairness, and professionalism to protect the interests of the candidates and build the reputation of Cambodian workers in the international labor market," he said. The spokesperson added, "For candidates who still have questions, the Ministry remains open for requests to review the results and concrete evidence again. We want candidates to receive clear explanations and be satisfied with their results." Mr. Sun Mesa also clarified that passing the first stage of testing does not mean a candidate has been definitively selected to work in Israel. Candidates must still undergo a personal interview, selection by the Israeli side through PIBA (Population and Immigration Authority), selection and matching by employers, health checks, document verification, contract signing, orientation, and departure preparations. This positive evaluation from the Israeli delegation comes at a time when both countries are strengthening their cooperation in overseas employment, particularly in the agricultural sector, where Israeli employers have a demand for labor. For Cambodia, expanding the labor market to Israel not only creates job and income opportunities for its citizens but also provides them with opportunities to gain international experience, knowledge, and skills in modern agricultural technology. This government-to-government cooperation focuses on safe, orderly, and legal worker selection, ensuring that candidates are chosen through proper procedures and receive adequate preparation before departure. Source: AKP Khmer