An illegal foreign worker from the Philippines was employed at the home of Defense Minister Ehud Barak at the same time he has been admonishing residents of Judea and Samaria for ignoring his orders against new building by Jews.
Following the report that his wife employed the worker without a legal permit, Barak’s spokesman said the worker was hired only occasionally and no longer will be employed. The worker also was supposed to have undergone a security check before working in the home of the Defense Minister.
The illegal worker said that Barak’s wife hired her to help prepare for entertaining in the luxurious Tel Aviv home and for occasional cleaning. She worked a full day last Friday. Foreign workers usually are permitted to work at homes where people are unable to care for themselves.
Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz said he believes that the incident was an oversight but added, “Everyone should remember there is law, and anyone who hires a foreign worker illegally is a criminal.” Barak also is chairman of the Labor party, which defends workers' rights.
Knesset Member Moshe Matalon of the Israel Our Home (Yisrael Beiteinu) party responded, “Someone who is so demanding that people obey the building freeze law while he breaks a law from his home should do some soul searching.
The Interior Ministry responded that it is increasing its surveillance to catch anyone hiring workers who have no permits.
Barak previously has been caught with exceeding government guidelines and staying in luxury overseas hotels that cost more than $1,000 a night.