Amid Sri Lanka's economic crisis, 20,000 workers are set to depart for Israel to work in farming and construction despite the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Laknath Dias, a supermarket manager, is among those seeking better pay in Israel, hoping to earn nearly ten times his current salary. Israel, traditionally dependent on Thai and Palestinian labor for farming, is facing a shortage as many Thai workers fled following the Hamas assault, and Palestinians have been largely banned from the workforce.
Sri Lanka's labor and foreign employment minister revealed that over 10,000 applications have been received for farming jobs in Israel, and plans are underway to send another 10,000 workers for construction. Currently, about 9,000 Sri Lankans are in Israel, engaged in farming and elderly care. The economic downturn in Sri Lanka has led to a surge in migration, with around 312,000 people leaving in 2022 and 268,000 in 2023, seeking opportunities in various countries.
Source: reuters.com