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Ar Israel turns to Africa for migrant farm workers amid mass exit of foreign workers
Israel turns to Africa for migrant farm workers amid mass exit of foreign workers
The move by Israel to recruit Migrant African farm workers from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi among other African countries, has highlighted the need for the leaders of Sub-Saharan Africa to confront the challenge of food security and collaborate to provide economic opportunities for African workers.
Israel's shift to recruiting migrant workers from African countries, is a strategic response to a significant labor shortage in its agricultural sector, exacerbated by the recent conflict with Hamas. This move opens up new economic opportunities for African workers, many of whom are driven by the necessity to support their families and improve their financial situations.
The focus has shifted to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Malawi for recruitment, following the departure of over 10,000 Thai farm workers and the barring of Palestinian labor, which previously comprised a substantial portion of the workforce.
A recent initiative by Malawi, sending 221 workers to Israeli farms, sparked controversy domestically, but it reflects a broader trend. These migrant workers, largely unconcerned with Middle Eastern politics, are primarily motivated by the opportunity to earn a stable income and support their families.
Israel's ambassador to Kenya, Michael Lotem, highlighted Israel's long-standing educational internships with East African nations as a foundation for this new labor relationship. Despite the war necessitating the call-up of approximately 360,000 Israeli reservists, thus exacerbating the labor shortage, Israel's approach does not directly relate to the departure of Thai workers or restrictions on Palestinian labor.
The need for 30-40,000 farm workers, as stated by Israel's agriculture ministry, has led to varied reactions in Kenya, especially concerning worker safety. The recent conflict has seen casualties among foreign workers, including Thai nationals and a Tanzanian agriculture intern, raising concerns about the conditions and safety of these migrant workers in Israel.
Past investigations and reports by rights groups have criticized the treatment of foreign laborers in Israel, though the government assures that reforms and protective measures are in place.
Amidst Kenya's unemployment crisis, some view this as a valuable opportunity. Malawi's decision to send an additional 5,000 workers, despite safety concerns, underlines the desperation for employment in these countries.
Some Kenyans have supported the deal, saying it provides badly needed jobs at a time when Kenya is battling an unemployment crisis and the rising cost of living.
Kenya has an unemployment rate of 5.5%, according to the World Bank.
Malawi's government has also announced that it will send 5,000 more young people to work on Israeli farms, rejecting calls to drop the plan.
"People are going out of desperation," said William Kambwandira, the executive director at the Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency, a workers' rights watchdog based in the capital Lilongwe.
Workers like Andrew Chunga and Jamison Kupatamoyo from Malawi see this as a chance for financial betterment, despite the ongoing conflict in Israel. They, along with others, have been reassured of their safety away from conflict zones and are focused on the economic prospects of their employment in Israel.