India has recently emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian nationals who are part of a government-to-government (G2G) agreement with Israel. The agreement involves sending Indian workers to Israel to work in the construction sector, with the first batch of 64 individuals having already traveled to Israel earlier this week. It is expected that more batches of workers will be sent in the coming months.
According to reports, Israeli authorities have selected over 9,500 workers in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) through a series of interviews. The Indian government has expressed its concern for the safety of these workers and has urged Israeli authorities to prioritize their well-being during their time in Israel.
During a regular media briefing, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the significance of ensuring the safety of Indian workers in Israel, especially given the ongoing conflicts in the region. He mentioned that the workers will be stationed in areas where economic activities are prevalent, rather than in regions close to conflict zones or areas occupied by Israeli settlers that are not recognized by India.
Jaiswal reiterated the Indian government’s request for Israeli authorities to take the safety of Indian workers seriously and to implement necessary measures to safeguard their welfare. The focus remains on ensuring that the Indian workers in Israel are provided with a secure and conducive environment to carry out their roles effectively.The government-to-government arrangement has been in place for a while now, even before the conflict started. Currently, there are approximately 18,000 Indian nationals residing and working in Israel, with a significant number engaged as care-givers and professionals. The Indian embassy maintains regular communication with these individuals to ensure their well-being and safety, as mentioned by Jaiswal.
The Indian workers are being sent to Israel under an official agreement between the two governments, signed in May 2023. In addition, a subsequent agreement was signed in November 2023 to facilitate the temporary employment of Indian workers in roles such as construction workers and home-based caregivers. Despite the conflict with Hamas that began last October, most Indian workers in Israel have chosen to stay on in the country.
According to information revealed by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), there are multiple job opportunities available for Indian workers in Israel. There are 3,000 vacancies each for framework workers and bar-benders, along with 2,000 vacancies each for tiling and plastering roles. These positions come with a monthly salary of ₹137,000. However, concerns have been raised by various labor unions and rights groups regarding the safety and security of Indian workers in Israel, pointing out the lack of adequate assurances in place.
