Following the wildfire in Cermel mountain range during 3-6 December 2010, which consumed about 50,000 rai of forest, killed 43 people, and affected approximately 70 Thai workers who worked in the nearby area, on 11 December 2010, Labour Section in Israel traveled to visit Thai workers who are affected by the wildfire at Kibbutz Beit Oren and Moshav Megadim.
Kibbutz Beit Oren: there are 19 Thai workers working in here. On the day, at 1.30 am, the wildfire was approaching the worker residential area. The employer, therefore, evacuated all his employees into a safety place, 5 kilometers away from the residential area. They remained there for 3 days before they moved back to the residential area after the wildfire was under control. At present, workers can return to work as normal and they have uplifting spirit. There is no report of the loss to property because the fire was under control before it reached the residential area. Workers have decent living and working condition. They receive an income of approximately 65,000 Bath per month. Labour Section warned them to be careful about burning their garbage and not leave it unattended before the flame is extinguished.
Moshav Megadim: There are 5 Thai workers working in here. On the day, at around 8.30 pm, the wildfire was approaching the worker residential area. The employer, therefore, evacuated all his employees into a safety place, 5 kilometers away from the residential area. At present, workers can return to work as normal and they have uplifting spirit. There is no report of the loss to property because the fire was under control before it reached the residential area. Workers have decent living and working condition. They receive an income of approximately 50,000 Bath per month. Labour Section found that the visas of some Thai workers were nearly expired (almost reach 63 months validity period) and they have to go back to Thailand. It suggested that Israel is one of the countries that Thai people shall come to work as it has similar environment to the villages in Thailand. Workers also receive good salary. Workers here have to be responsible and save money for their future before they complete their work in Israel. However, Thai people who are working here at the moment are young and irresponsible. They are often involved with gamble and drugs, which has damaged the reputation of Thai workers overall.
