High wages, bonus keep Indians motivated to stay in Israel despite tensions
Amid long lines at a recruitment centre in Uttar Pradesh, Chotulal Bind was one of the few selected for a skilled labour job in Israel.
Months later, Bind now finds himself working in the heart of war-torn West Asia, earning a salary he could only dream of in India. Despite Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza and Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon, Bind remains resolute in his decision to stay in the country.
Tensions recently spiked when Iran launched over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel late on Tuesday night. In response, the Indian Embassy in Israel issued an advisory urging its citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and seek safety in shelters whenever possible.
Despite the uncertainty on the ground, Bind has no plans to return to India.
“No one is forcing me to work here. I am here because I want to be,” Bind stated. “I’m earning well, and I’m also sending money back home to my family”.
Atul Singh, another worker recruited through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), echoes similar sentiments. “The issues are mainly with those recruited through private companies or middlemen. We, who were recruited directly through the government, face no such problems,” he explained.
The lure of high wages continues to draw many Indian workers, even amidst the chaos. Bahadur, a 36-year-old from Haryana, highlighted the economic opportunities: “Where else will I earn this kind of money, save, and still be able to send it back home with dignity?”
India has become a preferred hub for Israel to source its skilled labour force, particularly after the suspension of work permits for thousands of Palestinians following the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel.
As Palestinian workers, previously the backbone of Israel’s construction sector, have been sidelined, Indian labourers have increasingly taken their place. The Israeli government, facing a significant workforce gap, has been actively recruiting from India to support their infrastructure and healthcare sectors.
Indian youth have seized this opportunity, with thousands lining up outside recruitment centres in states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, eager to secure employment in Israel.
In a recent initiative, Israel’s Population, Immigration, and Border Authority (PIBA) requested the NSDC to recruit 10,000 construction workers and 5,000 caregivers.
Between December 2023 and March 2024, 16,832 candidates underwent skill tests, with 10,349 selected for jobs in Israel. So far, about 5,800 have migrated, with 4,800 already working there and 1,000 more sent in September this year.
Selected candidates are earning approximately Rs 1.92 lakh per month, along with a bonus of Rs 16,515, medical insurance, and accommodation. This government-backed recruitment has ensured that workers avoid the pitfalls of dealing with middlemen, often a source of exploitation.
A source from India’s Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship confirmed the numbers, stating, “We have sent 5,800 skilled labourers to Israel, and the total number selected is close to 11,000. The documentation process for the remaining candidates is ongoing”.
NUMBERS AT A GLANCE:
16,832 candidates appeared for skill tests
10,349 selected for jobs in Israel
5,800 migrated to Israel, with 1,000 more sent in September 2024
Salary: Rs 1.92 lakh/month, plus Rs 16,515/month bonus, medical insurance, and accommodation
Israel had initially aimed to recruit between 50,000 to 100,000 Indian workers, but recent Iranian airstrikes and a significant escalation of conflict in West Asia may disrupt these plans. However, for many skilled labourers in India — where the unemployment rate stands at 6.6 per cent — this presents a rare opportunity to earn wages far beyond what they could achieve at home.