Hyderabad: At least 100 workers from Telangana land amid war between Israel and neighboring countries tel avivmainly engaged in construction industry work.
Workers say they are ready to take on masonry, carpentry and construction work, even as sirens warning of missile attacks and dashing into bomb shelters have become routine in some parts of the country.
A high salary of about Rs 1.5 lakh per month, free accommodation and food are the main factors attracting workers to take up the job, and peace seems unlikely to return to the area anytime soon.
The workers arrived in Tel Aviv in two batches, with another batch expected to arrive there soon, sources said.
Ramesh Gangadhari, 37, a mason from Mancherial and one of the first workers from Telangana, arrived on October 7 Tel Aviv.
“We found the place safe. We saw no reason to fear for our lives as Israel has put in place adequate defense systems to protect its people,” Ramesh told TOI by phone on Wednesday.
“We received a warm welcome at the airport. We visited Tel Aviv and found the people very friendly. They have a special warmth towards Indians,” he said.
“900 workers eager to find employment in Israel”
P Naresh, another worker from Nirmal, dispelled doubts about his personal safety. “Initially, it seemed risky as Tel Aviv was targeted by Iran on October 1, but after reaching Israel, we felt comfortable,” Naresh told TOI.
After the Hamas attack on October 7 last year, Israel restricted thousands of Palestinians from working in Israel and asked India to send workers to its cities to replace them.
After Tel Aviv requested the Indian government to send construction workers and paramedics, the Center directed the National Skill Development Corporation to send skilled workers to meet Israel’s needs. In April this year, a group of workers from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh were sent to Israel for the first time.
Telangana Oversea as a Manpower Company (Tom CombsLabor organizations in Hyderabad have also taken up the responsibility of finding workers willing to travel to the troubled country.
“We are counting how many workers will go to Israel to work,” a TOMCOM official said, adding that at least 900 workers have shown interest in taking various jobs in Israel.
