Amid the ongoing conflict and tension between Israel and Iran lies the question of the security of Indian Nationals residing in Israel. Be it the NRIs, tourists or job bound workers who went to Israel, safety and security of every life matters.
Notably, the Indian government had sent workers to Israel on April this year.
The recruitment of Indian construction workers for different jobs in Israel began in January 2024. Hundreds of workers had queued at Maharshi Dayanand University in Haryana’s Rohtak. According to the reports, after UP, Haryana has sent the highest number of workers to Israel.
It was reported that the recruitment processes were held as Israel began to face shortage of human labour after it discontinued work permit of workers from Palestine.
In view of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and acute shortage of the skilled labourers, The Israel Government had offered to hire the workers from India.
The vacancies were opened for iron work, tile fitting and cutting, plaster work, wooden panel fitting etc. The candidates were selected through a screening test of their skills. As per the reports, 550 workers had registered themselves for the skill test from Haryana alone.
The first batch of 64 workers from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh had left for Israel on April, 2024. Former Ambassador of Israel to India, Naor Gilon had flagged off the workers to Israel on 2 April.
How Many Indian Workers Are There In Israel?
Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje had informed in Lok Sabha in July that 4,825 Indian workers have so far been deployed in Israel and no central trade union has objected to sending employees to Israel.
She had mentioned under the Implementation Protocol for Construction Workers under the India-Israel Agreement on Facilitation of the Temporary Employment of Indian Workers in Specific Labour Market Sectors in the State of Israel, a request for 10,000 Indian workers has been received for employment in Israel.
She also added that as per the framework Agreement and Implementation Protocol signed with Israel, Indian workers shall enjoy equal treatment with respect to labour rights as Israeli citizens.
Safety Is Priority
In a situation where the tension is expected to escalate further, and a large number of Indian workers are in Israel, what does the Indian government plan to do for safeguarding the Indian workers is a big question. Also, the Israel government is responsible for the safety and security of everyone residing in its country.
Indian Embassy in Israel has already extended the help to its nationals, issued advisory and helpline numbers. MEA is also monitoring the development in Israel actively.
As per now there is no report of Indian nationals being injured or killed in missile attack by Iran on Israel.
Also Read: Israel-Iran Conflict: Indian Embassy Issues Advisory For Its Nationals In Israel