China's Ministry of Commerce has urged domestic workers to postpone their departure to Israel on the grounds of personal security.

An official with the ministry's international cooperation department said on Tuesday that workers who had already signed contracts to work in Israel should postpone their departure and those who were yet to sign contracts must avoid unqualified companies, agencies and individuals to protect themselves from fraud.

The ministry has also required domestic companies which are qualified to have international labor contracts to postpone sending workers to Israel.

Israel has stopped importing foreign workers since January with increasing concerns over regional security.

(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2009)