Israel Construction Ministry Seeks 20,000 More Foreign Workers
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
Israel's Ministry of Construction is demanding the urgent admission of 20,000 more foreign workers via private firms. The sector currently employs 90,000 foreign laborers, a number that has tripled since before the war, but a shortage persists. The ministry warns that a lack of workers will hinder the completion of 80,000 planned apartments in 2026, increasing construction times and housing prices.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel's Ministry of Construction demands 20,000 more foreign workers be allowed entry.
- The construction sector currently employs 90,000 foreign laborers.
- The number of foreign workers has tripled since before October 7, 2023.
- Most Palestinian workers are no longer able to enter Israel for construction jobs.
- A labor shortage is expected to prevent completion of 20,000 planned apartments in 2026.
- The worker deficit is increasing construction times and housing costs.
Israel's Ministry of Construction and Housing has formally requested the Prime Minister's Office to urgently approve the entry of an additional 20,000 foreign workers into the country, to be managed by private companies. The "Maariv" newspaper reported the development on October 25.
Currently, the Israeli construction sector employs approximately 90,000 foreign laborers. Prior to October 7, 2023, this number stood at around 30,000, supplemented by roughly 80,000 Palestinian workers. Following the outbreak of the war, most Palestinian workers lost their ability to enter Israel.
Despite a threefold increase in foreign construction workers, a significant labor shortage persists. The Ministry of Construction estimates that while 80,000 apartments were slated for construction starts in 2026, the worker deficit will likely limit completion to only about 60,000 units. The ministry warns that this shortage is extending construction timelines and driving up housing costs.
