Israel looking for African labour

By Paul Shalala

The Israeli economy has been hit hard by the War in Gaza which has left the country with a shortage of over 120 thousand workers in the construction and agriculture sectors.

This follows the closure of borders with the Gaza Strip where 120,000 workers used to cross into Israel per day to work at construction sites and in farms.

Federation of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce of Israel President DAN CATARIVAS says authorities in Israel have turned to Africa and Asia for migrant workers who can be employed immediately in the two most affected sectors.

Mr. CATARIVAS says the War in Gaza has had a huge impact on the construction and agriculture sectors because Palestinians used to be the main employees in the two sectors.

Speaking when he addressed a group of African journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, Israel, Mr. CATARIVAS said so far, Malawi has provided 90 workers who have just landed in Israel and talks with Sri Lanka are advancing.

He said African countries are being engaged to help fill the labour deficit which has been created by the War in Gaza.

And, Head of International Business at the Manufacturers Association of Israel MERIT TSESIS has disclosed that over 700 businesses have been affected by the War in Gaza.