Opportunity and Ethics: The Indian-Israeli Labor Agreement
“We know there’s a war going on in Israel. I am not afraid of death. We can die here too.” says Ram Avatar, a 40-year-old tile setter from Haryana.
In April of last year, United Nations estimates revealed that India had outpaced China in global population rankings. With its population approaching 1.5 billion, India is estimated to birth an average of 86,000 babies per day, in comparison to just under 50,000 in China. As a result, nearly 53% of the population in India is under 30 years old. Despite the presence of a sizable population of young and educated individuals in India, the lack of employment opportunities has led to tens of millions of young workers becoming a strain on the economy.
The State of Working India Report from 2023 indicated a decrease in the pace of regular wage jobs since 2019 due to slowdowns in growth, and the global pandemic. Over 15% of graduates remained unemployed post-pandemic, with that number increasing to 42% for graduates under 25 years old. As per official reports, Israel intends to recruit 70,000 workers from China, India, and other nations to support its construction sector, which has faced extreme challenges since the attack on October 7th. Critics have expressed concerns that this agreement between India and Israel puts workers at risk by sending them into a politically charged conflict zone. Critics also cite the displacement of thousands of Palestinian workers who previously held these positions as another major cause for concern. Since October 7th, Israel has canceled work permits for tens of thousands of Palestinian laborers, deporting them back to the Gaza Strip.
For some, the prospect of immigrating to Israel for work is an obvious choice, even in the face of ongoing conflict. 31-year-old Ranjeet Kumar has struggled to find secure employment in India for years–despite earning two degrees. Ranjeet’s story is not unlike that of many in India. Many laborers hold advanced degrees but struggle to find employment in an oversaturated market. Eventually, these citizens end up in “casual” construction jobs, averaging anywhere from $10,000 - $15,000 rupees per month (~$120-180 USD). However, employers in Israel are offering monthly salaries of around $137,000 rupees (~$1600 USD), including medical benefits. Rajneet hopes to support his family of seven by securing one of the 10,000-40,000 positions Israel anticipates recruiting from India.
While the Indian-Israeli labor agreement may present a lifeline for struggling Indian workers, the arrangement raises unsettling questions about worker exploitation and the effects on broader geopolitical dynamics. This labor arrangement, born from Israel’s internal conflict and labor shortages, risks exploiting vulnerable Indian laborers desperate for economic opportunity. Sending this demographic into an extremely volatile zone raises questions about both worker safety and informed consent. In conjunction with this, critics have also pointed to historically discriminatory policies that have undermined Palestinian rights in Israel. To ignore these underlying tensions, especially amidst an ongoing conflict, could potentially perpetuate cycles of inequality and injustice. Critically examining these policies, from worker safety to their impact on Palestinians in the region, is crucial to ensuring that solutions are equitable and sustainable for all nations involved.