Philippines says will stop sending workers to Israel amid violence

The Philippines says it will temporarily stop sending citizens to work in Israel after three foreign workers were killed by rocket fire.

Three of the 12 people killed in Israel since the start of the violence last week were foreign workers — two from Thailand and one from India.

Philippines’ labor secretary, Silvestre Bello III, tells the ABS-CBN news network that workers will not be allowed to travel to Israel “until we can ensure their safety,” the New York Times reports.

“As of now we won’t be deploying workers,” he says. “As we can see, there’s bombing everywhere. If we deploy, it would be difficult — it would be my responsibility.”

According to the newspaper, some 30,000 Filipinos work in Israel, mostly as domestic workers and caregivers for older Israelis or those with disabilities.

Some workers say they are subject to abuse and bad working conditions, as well as risking deportation under Israeli law if they marry or have children.