Israel Manpower Crunch, Expands Quotas And Recruitment For Agricultural Workers From India And Sri Lanka To Fill The Void
Israel has recently addressed a critical manpower shortage and production losses in its agricultural sector by approving a substantial increase of 10,000 foreign workers in the industry. This decision comes in response to challenges faced by the sector, which had previously employed 29,900 foreign workers, mainly from Thailand. With most of these workers having returned to Thailand, the expansion of the foreign worker quota aims to ease the strain on Israeli agriculture. The decision is particularly crucial as local workers are engaged in military reserve duties, and the entry of Palestinian workers, traditionally employed seasonally, is currently prohibited. The move has sparked discussions about security concerns raised by some lawmakers, while others see it as a necessary measure to sustain agricultural productivity.
In a move to counter severe manpower shortages, Israel has expanded the quota for foreign agricultural workers to address severe shortages of workforce and production losses in the agricultural sector.
The Israeli Cabinet approved an increase of 10,000 foreign workers specifically for the agricultural industry on Sunday. This decision was prompted by significant challenges faced by the sector, which had 29,900 foreign workers, mainly from Thailand, before October 7. However, the majority of these workers have since returned to Thailand.
What is Compounding the issue, Israeli workers who could potentially fill the gaps are fulfilling military reserve duties. Additionally, the entry of 10,000-20,000 Palestinians, traditionally employed depending on the season, is currently prohibited. Lawmakers from the Likud party, expressing concerns about security risks, have vowed to keep Palestinian workers out.
Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter noted that the present addition comes on top of the 9,000 foreign workers increase approved a few months ago. Dichter anticipates that this adjustment will enable farmers to operate based on their needs and capabilities rather than rigid worker quotas.
Many farms, particularly those near the Gaza Strip and Lebanese border, have suffered substantial losses due to the actions of Hamas terrorists on October 7; approximately three-quarters of Israel’s vegetables were grown in the affected farms of kibbutzim and moshavim.
The Cabinet’s decision follows a January 16 terror attack in Ra’anana, where two Palestinians conducted a car-ramming and stabbing spree, resulting in the death of a 79-year-old woman and injuries to 16 others.
Looking To FulFill The Gaps
Israel is actively seeking to address its significant labour shortage by employing headhunters to recruit workers from India and Sri Lanka, aiming to replace Palestinian workers at construction sites within the country.
In India, there are intentions to recruit up to 100,000 workers for roles in the construction and caregiver sectors.
The identification process is nearing completion in some states, and there are indications that this recruitment exercise may extend to other parts of the country.
The Israeli embassy clarified that these are bilateral discussions with the Government of India and stressed that Israel is not specifying workers from any particular state, addressing concerns about concentration in states with low Muslim populations.
This initiative gained prominence following a telephonic conversation between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu, during which they discussed the proposal to bring Indian laborers to Israel.
While the proposal to bring workers from India was initially made in June by Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, who inked an agreement to take 42,000 workers from India, with 34,000 designated for the construction sector, the demand has increased post the conflict with Palestinians.
Reports indicate that another team of Israeli recruiters will conduct recruitment camps in Delhi and Chennai from December 27 for the next 10 days. Presently, about 18,000 Indians are employed in Israel, primarily in caregiving roles.
In addition to barring Palestinians and reluctance to recruit from Morocco and China, caregivers and workers from Nepal, Thailand, and the Philippines have fled after some faced kidnapping or death in the October 7 attack.
Sri Lanka’s Economy Boost
Many in Sri Lanka express that the economic challenges in Sri Lanka have become overwhelming, prompting the decision to depart for Israel despite the ongoing conflict with Hamas; many are preparing to work as a farmhand in Israel, attracted by the prospect of earning nearly 10 times their current pay.
Sri Lanka, urgently needing foreign exchange and remittances, plans to send approximately 20,000 workers to Israel, primarily for employment in the farm and construction sectors, as revealed by a Sri Lankan minister earlier in November 2023.
Many are drawing from their experience of living through the conflict in Sri Lanka, specifically the civil war against Tamil separatists between 1983 and 2009. Despite past challenges, they express confidence in facing any situation, citing familiarity with farm work.
Take the example of Dias who states that his current monthly salary of 72,000 rupees ($219) is insufficient to sustain his family of five due to the high cost of living.
In contrast, he anticipates earning about 700,000 rupees as a farmhand in Israel, where he intends to work for five years; additionally, plans are underway to send another 10,000 workers for employment in the construction sector.
The ongoing war in Gaza, initiated by Hamas crossing the border and resulting in casualties and hostages, has intensified the demand for foreign workers in Israel. The Sri Lankan workers will be joining approximately 9,000 compatriots already employed in Israel, primarily in farming and elderly care.
Sri Lanka, with an economy contracting by 7.8% last year, is experiencing its worst economic crisis in over seven decades, pushing millions into poverty, according to the World Bank.
Migration has surged since the crisis, with hundreds of thousands leaving the country for better opportunities, including destinations such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Amidst an economic crisis in Sri Lanka and a persistent conflict with Hamas, thousands of Sri Lankan workers are poised to depart for Israel; driven by the allure of substantially higher wages, particularly in the farm and construction sectors, these workers seek to address the pressing economic challenges in their homeland.
The Last Bit, Despite severe escalation in the war between Israel and Hamas, the migration of thousands of workers to Israel represents a convergence of economic necessity and opportunity.
Despite the ongoing conflict and challenges, these individuals are driven by the prospect of significantly improved financial conditions, Israel’s precarious situation and the impact of the conflict in Gaza on Israel’s labour market, prompting a call for foreign workers.
