Economy: Thousands Of Indians Head To Israel For Work Despite War

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI – Uttar Pradesh and Haryana are advertising for skilled workers to interview and test for jobs in Israel, which has turned to countries such as India and Sri Lanka to fill labor shortages in sectors like construction and farming, world media reports say.  

An initial 10,000 workers are due to be hired from India, according to asia.nikkei.com.

After more than 100 days of Israel’s war on Gaza, a labor crisis has emerged in the country, rooted in its decision to block tens of thousands of Palestinians from working in Israel, said Al Jazeera.

The Haryana government in December advertised 10,000 positions for construction workers in Israel, including 3,000 posts for carpenters and ironworkers, 2,000 for floor tile fitters, and 2,000 for plasterers. Its advertisement said the salary for the jobs would be around 6,100 shekels, or approximately $1,625, a month – in a state where the per capita income is around $300 a month, it reported.

Thousands of applicants came to the Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak which has been hosting tests, reported the BBC, quoting several young men saying they felt compelled not to worry about safety and were prioritizing the need for income and to support their families.

The Times of Israel said in addition to India, various government agreements would see workers arrive from Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Kenya, and Malawi.