Are they recruiting workers to heaven or hell?
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Israel’s retaliatory strikes against the October 7 Hamas attack is prolonging uncertainty longer than is expected, causing severe economic, social and security crisis in the nation affecting the daily lives of the people. Most important of all is expulsion of 150,000 Palestinians in West Bank engaged in various jobs and 18,500 residents in Gaza. Turning its citizens out on the street could be laurels for the Netanyahu administration known for its brutal acts of heinous violence. The right-wing government is in the emergency situation of filling the vacuum the decision has created in agricultural, health, and housing sectors. It is worth noting that it was Prime Minister Modi whom Netanyahu first approached for immediate solution. On December 19, Netanyahu requested Modi over the phone to send thousands of Indian workers to Israel without waiting to complete procedures. India is one of the nations that supported the UN General Assembly resolution calling upon Israel to end Gaza war. Alongside, India recognizes independent existence of Palestine. However, within hours of October 7 Hamas attack, PM Modi unilaterally declared solidarity with Israel.
Now both UP and Haryana governments have put out advertisements for jobs in the construction sector, domestic services and nursing services. The applicants do not have to register, quite against the rules, on emigration portal of the Ministry of External Affairs. Candidates have to remit a fee of Rs 10,000 to National Skill Development Corporation and pay for the flight charge on their own. No assurance is given on job security and safety. Trade unionists and social activists point out that the government that has made job security and health care compulsory for all seeking jobs abroad, has put aside all norms in view of Israel’s emergency recruitment. Activists are mulling over approaching court against this bundling off workers to Israel in the midst of horrendous attack continuing in Gaza. The salary offered to workers is Rs 1,37,000; but minus the deduction of accommodation, food and medical insurance expenses. How much workers can save up from the salary allowing for war-time price hike and cost of living in Israel is a mystery. Thousands of candidates are known to be applying for the jobs after having been lured by the advertisements like ‘Passport for foreign jobs dreams’, and ‘Reach for new horizons in Israel’. Despite decisions made by Israel to actively seek skilled workers from countries like China, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Moldova, the response from these countries is not yet known.
The world is silent when Israel, which the westerners and the progressives in India portray as the distinguishing Middle East model of secular democracy, pauperised a section of racially segregated people, denying them livelihood and basic amenities of life. Gandhi’s India, on the other hand, sides itself with injustice and state terrorism. There is something to ask those who constantly argue that Hamas started the war. How can they justify the killing and jailing of Israel civilians in West Bank who do not participate in war or aggression? Rather than demanding to end the heinous injustice, how humanitarian would it be to ush the destitute to death, in the rush to meet the requirements of an administration!