The signing of bilateral agreements for the employment of migrant workers in Israel has slashed exorbitant recruitment fees by as much as USD 20,000, reports The Jerusalem Post citing studies by the Centre for International Migration & Integration, Population & Immigration Authority, and Ruppin Academic Center. Potential migrant workers looking for jobs in Israel, attracted by the promise of higher wages, have often been reliant on private recruitment agencies charging thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars in mediation fees. However, the study says that bilateral agreements between the Israeli government and authorities in migrant workers' countries of origin have dealt a ‘severe blow’ to the migrant recruitment industry.  The bilateral agreements were first signed in 2005 with several countries from which migrant workers would be recruited. The agreements were signed in order to combat high fees by private agencies, ensure transparency and fairness in the recruitment process, and recruit skilled workers who are aware of their obligations and rights.