First Thai workers head to Israel since attacks

The Labor Minister wants to hire up to 10,000 people in Israel by the end of the year.

The Ministry of Labour, which aims to trade as many as 10,000 workers to the region this year, reported that the first Thai laborers to travel to Israel since the Hamas strike in October last year left from Suvarnabhumi Airport on Tuesday.

According to Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, 100 employees left on Tuesday, and 540 more will observe from Wednesday through July 3.

All were required to undergo education courses to ensure they are properly- prepared and know their job contracts, working conditions, local customs and cultures, and constitutional security rights, the minister said.

They will also get informed of how to quickly react to crisis situations brought on by war or when faced with problems.

Before the Hamas attack on Oct 7 next year, about 30, 000 Thai citizens were working in Israel, the majority of them in agribusiness and design. In the first few days and days of the war, about 9, 000 people were repatriated, while the rest chose to remain. According to specialists, they were known to be in secure locations never close to fight.

By the end of this year, Thailand plans to send 10,000 staff to Israel, according to Mr. Phiphat.

Most of the staff are native of Udon Thani, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Phanom, Buri Ram and Nakhon Ratchasima, he added.

Somchai Morakotsriwan, chairman- standard of the Department of Employment, said Thailand exported 67, 208 staff through formal channels in the 2022- 23 fiscal year that ended next Sept 30. Israel was one of the best five sites.

The majority of Thai employees traveling to Israel applied for jobs in the agricultural industry, followed by those in kindness and food service. Their average monthly income is around 50, 000 to 55, 000 rmb, he said.

” The government recognises the security of our staff”, said Mr Somchai. Mr. Phiphat instructed companies to provide the employees with safe and strong homes while making a visit to Israel at the end of May. He asked the Israeli government to ensure their security.

In the next quarter of this year, the department will receive a limit for sending 5, 000 agricultural laborers to Israel. As of June 13, more than 30, 000 employees had applied to go there.

Mr. Phiphat requested that the monthly allotment for farm workers be raised from 6, 000 to 20, 000, and that up to 25, 000 Thai development staff be able to work there when he visited Israel next month.