'Israel' taps into Indian workforce despite weak security conditions

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Washington Post
24 Jan 2024 17:52
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Indian unions protested the recruiting campaign, either because they do not wish to be complicit in the Gaza genocide, or because they are aware of the dangers associated with poor working conditions.

A view of the Zionist settlement of "Eli" in the occupied territories, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 (AP)

A report by the Washington Post on Wednesday revealed that "Israel" is seeking to address a severe labor shortage by hiring tens of thousands of Indian workers.

This comes at a time when Palestinian holders of Israeli work permits are being denied entry into the occupied territories.

The report states that discussions between "Israel" and Indian authorities regarding recruitment were underway even prior the events of October 7.

But new restrictions on Palestinian workers, coupled with the war on Gaza, have negatively impacted the economy.

Many foreign workers, including thousands from Thailand, have left due to the deterioration of security.

Under pressure

Israeli authorities have expressed the hope of bringing about 10,000 to 20,000 Indian migrant workers in the coming months.

This figure equals the total number of foreign workers who entered the country through bilateral agreements in 2021, according to "Israel's" Center for International Migration and Integration (CIMI).

"India will be one of, if not the, largest supplier of building workers in Israel in the coming years," said Shay Pauzner, the deputy director general of the "Israel" Builders Association, noting that approximately 5,000 workers from New Delhi and Chennai have already been confirmed.

Pauzner added that his association turned to India precisely because of the regime's deicision to suspend Palestinian workers permits.

Nearly one-third of the workforce in the Israeli construction sector was comprised of Palestinians, but with the outbreak of the war, work permits for individuals from Gaza and the occupied West Bank were suspended.

"Right now we are looking for any way to close this gap. We are under a lot of pressure," he said.

Since the time of the occupation's inception, the Israeli economy has historically relied on Palestinian labor for the development of various industries and generate immense amounts of wealth.

That wealth is owed to the cheapening of Palestinian labor borne out of the forced subjugation of Palestinian masses to Zionist forces.

But with new restrictions coming into force, construction companies and real estate developers are compelled to look for a pool of cheap labor elsewhere.

"As far as we’re concerned, you can bring workers from the moon," Raul Srugo, president of the "Israel" Builders Association told Israeli lawmakers in December.

The report notes that "Israel's" shift towards employing Indian workers is, in part, indicative of improved relations, noting that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has openly embraced "Israel."

Prior to the war's outbreak, "Israel" and India signed an agreement in May 2023 which outlined the deployment of 42,000 Indian construction and nursing workers.

Recruitment advertisements circulating across India indicate monthly salaries ranging from $1,400 to $1,700.

Presently, around 17,000 Indian workers are residing in the occupied territories, with a strong presence in the nursing sector, as reported by local Indian media and Israeli officials.

An Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity told WashPo that although the regime denies that these measures are meant to replace the Palestinian workforce, there is now "a sense of more urgency."

Islamophobia and poor working conditions

Amit Kumar, a recruiter based in a small town in Uttar Pradesh, India, associated with the prominent New Delhi workforce agency Dynamic Staffing Services, is informing potential recruits that Muslims are ineligible for the job.

"They don’t want Muslim workers," he said in an interview. Through various YouTube videos detailing the application process and soliciting candidates, he emphasizes, "Your name should be Hindu," and stresses, "Only Hindu brothers are eligible to apply."

On the other hand, Indian unions and activists have strongly criticized the recruitment drive, alleging dangerous working conditions for the workers involved.

"We are against this because it is sending workers into the mouth of death," said Ramher Bhivani, general secretary of a construction workers union in Haryana. "They entice workers with a lavish salary, but none of my workers will go."

Meanwhile, several Indian unions have issued press releases asserting that this initiative would indicate "complicity" with "Israel's ongoing genocidal war against Palestinians."

Despite the deteriorating security situation, many Indians seem undeterred. "I need to work somewhere or another. It’s dangerous here, too," said Vinod Dangi, a construction worker in Haryana who plans to go to "Israel". "But I am not going for Israel. I am going for my family."