Sri Lanka to Send 20,000 Workers to Israel Amid War

Move aimed at boosting economy comes as labor shortage hits Israeli farm and construction sectors.

Sri Lanka plans to send 20,000 workers to Israel in December to work in the farm and construction sectors, despite the ongoing war with Hamas.
Many Thai and Palestinian workers, who traditionally worked on Israeli farms, have fled or been banned from the workforce, leading to a shortage of labor.
Sri Lankan workers expect to earn nearly 10 times their current pay in Israel, providing a much-needed economic boost for their families amid Sri Lanka's economic crisis.
Sri Lanka's labor and foreign employment minister has stated that they have received over 10,000 applications to work on Israeli farms and are considering sending another 10,000 workers for the construction sector.
The Sri Lankan workers will join approximately 9,000 compatriots already working in Israel, primarily in farming and elderly care.