For over two decades, Israel has been a top destination for Thai workers seeking abroad employment opportunities, particularly within the agriculture sector. It is currently home to approximately 30,000 Thai workers, 5,000 of whom are placed near the contentious Gaza Strip. While these workers are very aware of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, they occasionally find themselves in the midst of it. The latest round of violence witnessed a significant casualty rate among Thai labourers, fuelling growing consideration on the continued appeal of Israel for foreign labour.
Despite the realistic risks, many Thai workers are opting to continue their employment in Israel, striving to remain steadfast in their pursuit of a better future for their families. They understand and accept the hardships their work demands, viewing it as a small price to pay for the higher wages they receive. The income earned overseas is often instrumental in stabilising their families’ financial standing. In fact, the inflow of foreign income has seen a steady increase, with Thai workers contributing an average of 200 billion baht annually over the past five years.
Traditional agricultural practices in Thailand often result in unpredictable yields due to climatic variabilities, subsequently leading to unreliable family incomes. Thus, the promise of a regular income, despite the challenging work conditions in Israel, is enticing. Moreover, the employment contracts for Thai workers in Israel extend to about five years and can be further lengthened to five years and three months. The Thailand-Israel Cooperation on the Placement of Workers (TIC) programme even aids in financing travel and related expenses.
However, the rise in violence has led some to call for a reevaluation of employment in the red zones of Israel. This sentiment is echoed by the families of workers situated perilously close to the Gaza Strip. They believe the government should enhance domestic agricultural yields to reduce the need for workers to risk their lives overseas. Nevertheless, some workers contentedly continue to work near the Gaza Strip due to higher pay and security measures implemented by their employers.
Pleas for shifting the focus to safer countries have been raised by several parties. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been suggested as alternatives that require a substantial migrant workforce. The Thai government is urged to also prepare for potential global economic ramifications, such as rising oil prices, if the Middle East conflict continues.
Tragically, with present circumstances, the dispatch of workers to Israel may be delayed. Meanwhile, the paramount concern is the safety of Thai workers currently in Israel. Suggestions for their evacuation to neighbouring countries have been made, prior to their repatriation to Thailand.
Despite the grim situation in Israel, there seems to be an abundance of opportunities elsewhere for Thai workers. For instance, a surge in the demand for Thai welders has been seen in South Korea’s ship-building sector. This suggests that Thailand’s overseas labour market prospects remain encouraging, away from the troubled Middle East region.
In response to the current predicament, the Thai government has pledged full assurance for the safe return of all its workers from Israel. It has also agreed to bear all expenses associated with the repatriation process. Future worker dispatch to Israel will be reviewed once the security situation in the country stabilises.
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