HYDERABAD: There is a huge demand for skilled workers in Israel, and this opportunity should be fully tapped by the state govt, said Israel Telangana Association president Soma Ravi. Ravi, who has been working in Israel for the past 20 years and is currently visiting Hyderabad, said, “If the Telangana govt takes more interest in ensuring that workers are properly skilled, workers sent to Israel could earn ₹1.5 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh per month.” He expressed concern over the declining image of Indian workers in recent years. “In the last couple of years, the image of Indian workers suffered as those who came there claiming to be skilled were found not fit for the jobs they were recruited for,” he said. Due to such issues, there were instances where Indian workers were asked to find other jobs for themselves, he added.
After the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023, the country sought skilled manpower due to restrictions on Palestinian workers. As a result, workers from various Indian states were sent to Israel. “The fact that Indian workers did not show proper and adequate skill sets has cast a shadow on the image of Indian workers. As a result, workers from other countries are being provided opportunities,” Ravi said. He suggested that the govt not only focus on skilling workers in sectors like construction, hospitality, and healthcare but also reassure people about the safety of working in Israel. “Because of the war, people may harbour some misgivings about the security, but there need not be such fears,” he said. Referring to a recent conflict, Ravi said, “During the recent Israel-Iran conflict, even when Israel came under missile attack from Iran, hardly any of the workers from Telangana there returned to India. This was because we followed security instructions and everyone was safe.” Currently, about 10,000 Indians are said to be working in Israel, including about 1,000 from Telangana, mainly in the Ramat Gan area near Tel Aviv. Most are employed in construction, housekeeping, or as caregivers.
