Harsher punishments okayed for employers of undocumented workers

The government unanimously gave the go-ahead Sunday to new rules that will dramatically increase punitive measures against employers of workers who are in the country illegally.

According to an amendment to the law, pushed forward by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, police will be able to immediately close down for a period of 30 days businesses where undocumented workers are found.

Additionally, a court could order the closure and revocation of licenses of businesses and construction sites where undocumented workers were employed.

In accordance with Erdan’s directives, the law will set minimum fines that must be levied against employers and harborers of illegal workers, and indirect employers will also be subject to punishment.

The approval came after the recent rise in terror attacks, some of which were carried out by Palestinians in Israel without proper documentation

“Those who employ illegal workers are damaging Israel’s security,” Erdan said in a statement before the cabinet meeting. “In light of the recent attacks we understand how dangerous the presence of illegal workers in city centers and building sites can be. We must exact harsh punitive measures against employers and harbors of illegal workers so that it will not be feasible for them to do so.”

The amendment states that a one-time employer of illegal workers will be subject to up to two years in prison. Those who employ more than one illegal worker, or hire an illegal worker for more than 24 hours, will face up to four years of incarceration.

The law sets a minimum fine of NIS 10,000 ($2,575) and a maximum of NIS 226,000 ($58,204) for one-time employers, while for those who employ more than one illegal worker the minimum fine will be NIS 20,000 ($5,150) and a maximum of NIS 300,000 ($77,262). In case of corporations employing illegal workers regularly, the minimum fine will be NIS 40,000 ($10,301), with a maximum of NIS 452,000 ($116,409).

In accordance with the new amendment, the courts will have the authority to shut down businesses and construction sites pending the end of legal proceedings, as well as revoke their licenses and building permits.

A week ago three Israelis were injured in a stabbing attack in Ra’anana carried out by a Palestinian illegally in Israel.

Police had already begun clamping down on illegal workers two months ago. As part of the new directives, police stations are required to assign 20 percent of their workforce to searches of building sites for illegal workers. In addition, an order has been given to scan building sites adjacent to terror attacks immediately after they occur in order to rule out the possibility of illegal workers hiding nearby.