Indian Workers Replace Barred Palestinians in Israel’s Construction Sector
Indian Workers Step In Amid Workforce Crisis in Israel: In the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and subsequent war, Israel barred tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from entering its borders, causing a significant labor shortage in its construction sector. To address this void, the Israeli government has recruited approximately 16,000 Indian workers over the past year, with plans to bring in thousands more.
These Indian laborers, including skilled and semi-skilled workers, are now helping sustain construction projects that had come to a standstill during the conflict. In central Israel’s Beer Yaakov, Raju Nishad, a 35-year-old laborer from Uttar Pradesh, epitomizes the new workforce that has adapted to life under the shadow of conflict.
High Wages Drive Migration
Despite security concerns, including air raid sirens and intermittent warnings, Indian workers like Nishad are drawn to Israel by the promise of wages up to three times higher than what they could earn back home. This financial incentive enables workers to save, invest, and provide for their families, even as they navigate the risks of living in a conflict zone.
Samir Khosla, head of Delhi-based Dynamic Staffing Services, has been instrumental in this recruitment effort, sending more than 3,500 workers to Israel since the Gaza conflict escalated. Khosla sees the collaboration as a natural outcome of India-Israel relations and hopes to increase the number of Indian laborers to 10,000 in the near future.
Impact on Construction and Housing
While the influx of Indian labor has eased some challenges, the numbers still fall short of pre-war workforce levels. Before the conflict, nearly 80,000 Palestinians worked in construction alongside 26,000 foreign workers. Today, the foreign labor force, including Indians, totals about 30,000.
According to Eyal Argov of the Bank of Israel, the sector’s activity remains 25% below pre-war levels, which could delay housing supply. With Israel’s population growing by 2% annually, such delays may lead to long-term housing shortages.
Adaptation Amidst Challenges
Indian workers have quickly adjusted to life in Israel, bringing their construction expertise and cultural touchstones. Suresh Kumar Verma, another worker from Uttar Pradesh, highlighted the financial benefits of working in Israel, despite being far from home.
However, researchers warn that while Indian laborers help address immediate shortages, a comprehensive workforce strategy will be crucial for sustaining the sector’s growth in the long term.
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