MALAWIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS YOUTHS GOING TO ISRAEL ARE SAFE

Sun 26 October 2023:

Malawi Government says young Malawians who are going to Israel to work in farms are safe, local media reported.

This comes as government has embarked on a program whereby young people will work in various countries including Israel.

A statement released by government, signed by the Secretary for Labour, Wezi Kayira, indicates that Israel is not the only country young people are going to.

After 221 Malawians left this week to Israel through a labour export arrangement, 800 more are expected to go. 200 expected to depart on Monday. pic.twitter.com/1mQ8yWhN6F

— Malawi Elects 🇲🇼 | 🗳️ (@MalawiElects) November 25, 2023

“The general public is hereby informed that the Government has embarked on the export of labour to various countries including Israel. The labour export program is an initiative of the government in collaboration with the private sector to fulfill this administration’s commitment to job creation and youth empowerment as championed by His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi,” says the statement.

“On the Israel labour export, the youth will work at certified and approved locations which are classified as fit and safe environment,” it highlighted.

The statement has reassured Malawians that young people leaving the country will not be involved in any other activities and the program will benefit both the youths and the nation.

Clarifying rumours

Earlier on Saturday, Government has issued a statement, clarifying rumours that Malawians who have been exported to Israel are to join the Israel Defence Force ( IDF) but that they are going to work in farms in that country as most nationals have fled the country due to war between Israel and Hamas.

According to the press statement released by the Ministry of Labour and Signed by Principal Secretary counsel Wezzie Kayira, government says it has started exporting labour to other countries including Israel.

“The general public is hereby informed that Government has embarked on the export of labour to various countries including Israel. The labour export program is an initiative of the government in collaboration with the private sector to fulfill this administration’s commitment to job creation and youth empowerment as championed by His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi,” says the statement.

Meanwhile, the Indian government has also sent its people to work in construction and care- giving industries.

While the number of workers to be “exported” to Israel is not clear, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi clarified that the Indian government is engaged in a long-term plan to be sending Indian workers for the Israeli construction and caregiving sector.

Amid war

According to Malawi24, In Israel, the young Malawians are expected to be working in farms where they will be receiving about US$8 per hour.

However, in the first four months, the Malawians will be repaying the money used to take them to Israel.

According to a document Malawi24 has seen, they will be paying debt US$301 per month and air ticket debt of US$150. Employers will also be deducting US$150 housing allowances and US$34 medical insurance from the employees’ salaries.

The young Malawians have travelled to Israel at a time when the Middle Eastern country is in the midst of a conflict with Palestine.

Some countries have been evacuating their citizens from Israel, including Thailand which has evacuated more than 7,000 of some 30,000 Thais working in Israel. The evacuation came after reports that about 24 Thai workers had been abducted by Hamas.

To highlight the dangers of working in Israel, the Malawians have signed a contract stating that they understand that the war will last a long time and that thousands of missiles targeting civilians are being shot into Israel.

“Not all of the missiles are being shot down by anti-missile systems but that some of the missiles hit their targets and that the hits as well as shrapnel can kill and injure persons. In addition, there is danger of terror attacks in Israel due to the war,” the statement says.

Malawian journalist Jack McBrams posted on X that the deal raises questions.

“In the midst of the Israel/Hamas conflict, the @MalawiGovt has sent 221 youths to work on Israeli farms, following a $60 million aid package from Israel to Malawi two weeks ago. While the intention is to provide employment opportunities for our youth, the optics don’t look right,” he posted.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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