developing· Politics· Updated
Israel to Ban Private Recruitment of Foreign Construction Workers
Israel's Population and Immigration Authority will ban the private recruitment of foreign construction workers from India and Sri Lanka starting in January 2027. Under the new directive, workers from these two countries will only be permitted to enter Israel through official bilateral channels. Private recruitment will remain active for other approved nations, including Italy, Brazil, Hungary, Romania, Thailand, and Turkey.
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What happened
- 01The Population and Immigration Authority will ban private recruitment of construction workers from India and Sri Lanka starting January 2027.
- 02Workers from India and Sri Lanka will only be allowed to enter Israel through official bilateral agreements.
- 03Industry leaders warn the new policy will cause a severe labor shortage and increase housing costs.
- 04Eldad Nitzan stated that 60% of Israel's foreign construction and renovation workers currently come from India.
- 05Private recruitment will continue under quotas for approved countries such as Italy, Brazil, Hungary, Romania, Thailand, and Turkey.
- 06The Population and Immigration Authority reported that 76,000 new foreign construction workers have arrived since the war began.
- 07Industry representatives claim that 70% of Indian workers who arrived through previous official channels lacked professional construction skills.
Industry representatives have strongly criticized the decision, warning that it will trigger a severe labor shortage and drive up housing costs. Eldad Nitzan, chairman of the foreign manpower corporations in the construction sector, stated that 60% of foreign construction and renovation workers in Israel currently come from India. He called the new policy a disaster for the industry, noting that 95% of foreign construction workers are currently brought in through private agencies.
According to the Population and Immigration Authority, the directive aims to prevent unauthorized labor from entering the country and moving into other sectors. The authority also noted that 76,000 new foreign construction workers have arrived in Israel since the war began. However, industry leaders argue that previous official bilateral programs with India resulted in 70% of the workers lacking professional skills, leading to their dismissal and subsequent employment in catering and events.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated
Latest report: The Jerusalem Post. Read The Jerusalem Post’s originalThe coverage
3 newsrooms on this story
Who covered it
- LeftNone
- Centre2
- Right1
- HarediNone
- ArabNone
How it broke
PlusHow it reads
Charged tone, on average across the newsroomsRight-wing press reads a level softer on the government than the wire.