Amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, a cohort of 530 young individuals from Haryana embarked on a journey to Israel in pursuit of employment opportunities, as the region grapples with a labor crisis. On Tuesday, April 2, Chief Minister Nayab Saini conveyed his well wishes to these youths via a telephone call.

The departure of this initial group of Indian construction workers was commemorated by Israeli Ambassador Naor Gilon and government officials on April 2. Former CM Manohar Lal expressed gratitude to the state government and the Chief Minister for their collaboration, albeit virtually.

Following Hamas terror attacks on October 7, Israel experienced a significant shortfall in labor, prompting the government to restrict the employment of thousands of Palestinians. In December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite the recruitment process. The urgent need for construction workers was communicated by the Israeli government in November 2023.

These individuals will receive a monthly salary of 1.37 lakh Indian rupees along with various amenities and benefits. With the success of the initial phase, the Haryana government is gearing up to announce vacancies for the second phase. In January 2024, there was a demand for Indian labor across 13,294 positions in seven different countries.

Out of the 1,370 applicants, only 530 were selected for employment in Israel. The Israel Builders Association facilitated the booking of tickets for these individuals. The recruitment drive took place in Rohtak, Haryana, from January 16 to 20.

Israel’s requirement for skilled construction workers, encompassing expertise in framework, shuttering, carpentry, plastering, and tile shaping, stood at a staggering 10,000. In addition to the base salary, overtime pay was also on offer.

Applicants were required to possess a Class 10 pass certificate, a minimum of three years’ experience in relevant fields, and fall within the age bracket of 25 to 45 years. Furthermore, workers would receive medical insurance, meals, accommodation, and a monthly bonus of Rs 16,515.

The labor crisis in Israel stems from the revocation of work permits for numerous Palestinians following the Israel-Hamas conflict. Consequently, Israel’s manufacturing sector has been seeking skilled workers from countries such as India to address the shortfall in its workforce.