History on the Knesset table: Will 40k Indian workers come to Israel?

In May 2023, negotiations between the Israeli and Indian governments for the arrival of 10,000 Indian workers, split between the construction and nursing industries, were first reported.

However, the current crisis and subsequent shortage of approximately 100,000 workers in the construction industry were unforeseen at that time. 

To swiftly address this predicament, a groundbreaking bilateral agreement between the governments of Israel and India was presented in the Knesset earlier this week. This agreement aims to bring 40,000 Indian workers to Israel to alleviate the severe shortages in construction and nursing industries. 

It is estimated that the implementation agreements for these two areas will be established soon, with the arrival of workers to be expected within a matter of weeks.

MK Eliyahu Revivo, chairman of the Foreign Workers Committee, who led the efforts to finalize the agreement, expressed his satisfaction, stating, "We worked tirelessly to secure this agreement, which serves as a lifeline for the construction and nursing industries in our complicated reality.

"I am delighted that the Foreign Workers Committee, in collaboration with the Population and Immigration Authority, Foreign Ministry, Interior Ministry, and others, have made significant progress in addressing this pressing issue. This is indeed a momentous development for the Israeli economy."

What Does the Agreement Between Israel and India Entail?

The agreement's appendix outlines its purpose, stating, "The agreement, subject to government approval, aims to establish a bilateral framework for the recruitment of foreign workers from India. The recruitment process specified in the framework agreement seeks to facilitate the arrival of foreign workers in an informed and supervised manner, with the cooperation of relevant authorities from both countries. This framework aims to prevent human trafficking and illegal brokerage fees imposed on these foreign workers during the recruitment process. 

"It also aims to protect their rights in compliance with labor laws, subject to the regulations and procedures applicable in each country. The agreement further emphasizes that the foreign workers entering Israel under this agreement must receive appropriate training for their respective fields, as stipulated in the implementing arrangements. They must also fully comprehend their obligations and rights in Israel, including their duty to return to their home country upon the completion of their legal work period in Israel."

Furthermore, the agreement specifies that government ministries or agencies will be authorized to implement the agreement in various agreed sectors, and their cooperation will be in accordance with the specific implementing arrangements.