Police complaints by migrant workers, who were escorted by Kav LaOved, have borne a recent number of criminal sentences. This is a welcome development given our history of unrewarding efforts with the police, who do not always manage these issues appropriately. Even though progress was slow and cooperation was minimal, we shouldn't dismiss these results.

The State of Israel vs. Vito Hadad

The first verdict concerned a migrant worker from Sri- Lanka, who was employed for three months by an employer named Vito Hadad. The employer did not pay the worker’s salary, but promised to do so when she received her work permit. During three months the employer deceived the worker into thinking he had a migrant worker employment permit, thus rendering her illegally employed. When the worker finally decided to leave, the employer took her passport and cell phone to extort her.

An indictment was filed following the complaint. The employer was convicted in a plea bargain of unlawful employment of a migrant worker, withholding a passport and taking possession of property for extortion purposes. It is especially important to note the defense attorney’s response to the charges of unlawful employment. "The defendant did not pay [the worker’s] wages, and thought that since he did not pay her, he did not employ her." The court ruled a six month suspended sentence valid for three years and a 3000 shekels fine. We believe this sentence is far from sufficiently deterrent.

The State of Israel vs. Mr. Blacker

Another verdict concerns a migrant worker from Nepal, who was arrested for illegal residence. The Custody Tribunal ruled that if the worker provides a letter from an employer, who is interested in hiring her, they would allow her release. The worker turned to Reuben Blacker, who posed as a job agent. Mr. Blacker promised the worker he would find her a position in return for $1,000. Mr. Blacker brought a letter from an employer to NGO Hotline for Migrant Workers, and they sent it to the judge, who then released the worker from custody. When the worker was released and wanted to start her new job, Mr. Blacker avoided her, and she found herself in an illegal status once again.

The Following details arise from this complaint: 1. Reuben Blacker is known as a serial criminal, who deceives migrant workers. 2. When he committed this act of deception, he was under house arrest for other similar acts. 3. The agent forged a letter in the name of an employer who had approached him in the past. After this indictment Blacker was on trial for other similar cases, and received a four year prison sentence. Following this and other complaints, he was sentenced to another five years in prison and a 100,000 shekel fine.



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