A bilateral framework agreement signed in November 2023 has facilitated the migration of 6,774 Indian workers to Israel as of July 1, 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs informed Parliament on Thursday. Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh, responding to a Rajya Sabha query, detailed the labor movement initiated after the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October 2023.
The agreement, aimed at safe and regulated migration, has seen 6,730 Indian workers employed in Israel’s construction sector and 44 as caregivers. Additionally, private channels have recruited approximately 7,000 caregivers and 6,400 construction workers from India, though around 220 have returned due to skill mismatches and language barriers, Singh noted.
The conflict has taken a toll on Indian workers. One agricultural worker was killed in a March 2024 attack from Lebanon, while three others were injured— one in rocket fire from Gaza on October 7, 2023, and two in a separate Lebanon attack in March 2024. The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv maintains regular contact with the community, coordinating with Israeli authorities to ensure safety, medical treatment, and compensation for victims. Frequent consular visits to cities like Ashdod and Haifa provide on-ground support.
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The agreement, negotiated since 2022, reflects India’s push for legal migration pathways amid Israel’s labor shortages, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict. The embassy has also facilitated repatriation for workers facing challenges, with over 50 assisted in 2024 alone, according to sources. India’s External Affairs Ministry continues to prioritize the well-being of its nationals, with helplines and grievance mechanisms active for workers.
The framework is part of broader India-Israel cooperation, which includes recent pacts on technology and agriculture. As the conflict persists, the embassy is exploring additional welfare measures, including language training to reduce barriers for Indian workers.
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