How Increasing Job Crisis in India is Pushing Workers towards Israel

Last week, in the state of Haryana, India, hundreds of men gathered at a university campus for practical exams in construction trades. These men were hoping to secure jobs as plastering workers, steel fixers, and tile setters in Israel. Many of them, like Ranjeet Kumar, have struggled to find stable employment despite having degrees and qualifications. The jobs in Israel offer higher wages, accommodation, and medical benefits, making them an attractive opportunity. The Israeli government plans to bring in 70,000 workers from India, China, and other countries to address a labor shortage in the construction sector. These job seekers come from India's informal economy, where many work in casual construction jobs without contracts or benefits. They have faced challenges in finding secure employment in India and have resorted to multiple jobs to make ends meet. Some attribute their difficulties to events like demonetization in 2016 and the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. As a result, they are now seeking more lucrative overseas jobs, even in war zones like Israel. The article highlights individual stories of men who have experienced financial setbacks and limited prospects in India, driving them to pursue opportunities abroad. These individuals have faced various obstacles in their search for stable employment, such as high agent fees for illegal entry into countries like the US and Canada. Despite the risks involved, they are willing to work in Israel because of the potential for higher incomes. The article also provides insights into the job market in India, where unemployment remains high, especially among graduates. Regular wage jobs have been declining, leading many young people to seek opportunities abroad in exchange for higher incomes and reduced precarity.