UP govt plans to send 10,000 construction workers to Israel

• The result of the war between Israel and Hamas

• Monthly salary of Rs 1.25 lakh, while bonus of Rs 15,000 per month

Laxmanpuri (UP) – The Uttar Pradesh Government has invited applications on an urgent basis from construction workers for openings in building construction work in Israel. At present, as Israel is in great need of such workers the UP Government has tried to take advantage of this opportunity. The job will pay each worker Rs 1.25 lakh a month with an additional Rs 15,000 per month as a bonus fund. It is said that this amount will be deposited in the account of the employment agency through which these workers will work and when the work tenure of the worker ends, the entire amount will be transferred to the worker.

The Labour Department of the UP Government released an advertisement on Tuesday. Under this, the Government has invited applications from masons, tilers and other construction workers. Under the Government of India’s National Skill Development Mission, employment is being provided at safe construction project sites in Israel.

Israel has been facing a labour shortage for a while, the situation has been compounded by the ongoing conflict with Palestine since 7th October. Israel has since cancelled the work permits of Palestinians, leading to a massive shortage of workers in the country. Reports say that last month Israel demanded workers from India in this regard. Since lakhs of Indian workers are working in various fields in the Gulf countries, there is a possibility that they will go to Israel now.

India and Israel had signed an agreement to facilitate the employment of 42,000 Indian people in Israel, with 34,000 earmarked for construction roles. The construction sector in Israel has come to a near standstill since the war against Hamas began.

On 15th December, the Haryana Government also publicised a call for 10,000 skilled workers for similar roles. However, this move attracted criticism from the opposition, given concerns about sending individuals to a region experiencing conflict. Haryana’s appeal sought expertise in areas like framework construction, shuttering, iron bending, ceramic tile installation, and plastering, offering remuneration exceeding Rs 1.55 lakh monthly for a contract not surpassing 63 months.

Workers will have to fulfil the contract terms and conditions

The Government has outlined specific criteria for applicants. Prospective workers must demonstrate proficiency in at least one specified. Successful applicants must commit to a contract ranging from one to five years and should not have any prior work experience in Israel. None of the worker’s relatives should have previously worked in Israel. Additionally, candidates, aged between 21 and 45 years, are responsible for their travel arrangements to and from Israel and must boast a minimum of three years of experience in the construction field. Besides, the workers will have to bear the costs of travelling to and fro.