Amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine’s militant organisation Hamas, several workers from Telangana are heading to Israel to help address a labour shortage in the country’s construction industry.
According to a report by The Indian Express, “After a four-day event that concluded on Friday in Hyderabad, 2,209 workers signed up for construction jobs in Israel. After passing tests to show their skills, 905 workers were chosen to work in Israel and would be added to the West Asian country’s foreign labour force.”
The recruitment drive was organized by the state government in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation International (NSDCI).
“The workers hired in Telangana are carpenters, ceramic tilers, plasterers, and iron benders,” the report stated.
The prospect of higher wages is a significant draw for Indian workers. As The Indian Express reported, “Many Indians are willing to work in the war-affected area because Israel’s construction industry pays them a lot. The recruitment team has said that each worker will earn between ₹1.2 lakh and ₹1.38 lakh per month, much more than skilled workers usually get paid in India.”
This recruitment event in Telangana was the third of its kind in India this year, following similar drives in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. An agreement between India and Israel facilitates the hiring of skilled Indian workers for Israel’s construction industry after testing their skills.
Despite the ongoing conflict, the Indian government has urged Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of Indian workers. As per reports, similar recruitment drives are likely to be held in Rajasthan, Bihar, and Maharashtra in the coming months.
