Sri Lankan workers in Israel face dilemma, seek job shifts

23 February 2024 08:12 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 23 Bookmark

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Colombo, Feb 23 (Daily Mirror) - A contingent of Sri Lankan workers dispatched to Israel to work in the agriculture sector has encountered challenges, with some seeking alternative employment due to reported difficulties on the job, Daily Mirror learns.

Israel's recruitment drive for foreign labourers was prompted by the deportation of thousands of Palestinian workers after the Hamas’ attack on October 7, last year. It led to opportunities for workers from countries like India and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka which seized the opportunity sent workers to Israel to work both in the construction and agriculture industries.

However, there are reports about some Sri Lankan workers expressing dissatisfaction with the working conditions in the agriculture sector. Complaints range from inadequate facilities to the strenuous nature of farm work. Several workers have reportedly approached the Sri Lankan mission in Tel Aviv, exploring the possibility of switching to different job sectors.

Even government officials, such as Grama Niladharis and Samurdhi officers, who joined as seasonal agriculture workers, found the farm work challenging, according to sources based in Israel. Some workers are not ready to work for ten hours a day whereas workers from countries such as Thailand do so without any grumbling.

However, Foreign Employment Promotion Minister Manusha Nanayakkara refuted allegations of mismanagement. He accused detractors, including Sri Lankan residents opposed to the government's worker deployment programme, of spreading misinformation. The Minister asserted that workers were sent successfully, and assistance was provided to those seeking job changes.

Addressing concerns about unskilled workers being sent to Israel, Minister Nanayakkara said such an issue could not be raised because of the hurried recruitment drive encouraged. He clarified that the government is currently sending small batches of workers to Israel.

Comments - 23

Mohammad Zarook Friday, 23 February 2024 08:37 AM

Perhaps they thought its like doing a government job in SL.

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Avery Markham Friday, 23 February 2024 08:40 AM

Sri Lankans are always dissatisfied.

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Jude Friday, 23 February 2024 09:06 AM

It's ironic SL government support Palestine cause and at the same time SL government wants Israelis to recruit Lankan workers!!

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Jude Friday, 23 February 2024 09:08 AM

Lankan workers not ready for hard days of real work. Majority lankans are lazy bums, yeah.

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Jude Friday, 23 February 2024 09:11 AM

Let me explain how the Jewish employers work, they suck the workers blood without knowing yeah the best part is you don't feel it huh. very smart.

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Sobers Friday, 23 February 2024 09:14 AM

I have worked in gulf for more than 10 years, that too in many countries. The tendency of Srilankan Labour force is not geared to face long working hours. Majority are lazy asusual talking about winning thr rights. These are not applicable in gulf countries. No human rights, No democracy. Obviously they find it difficult. Also our Labour laws are always designed to favour employees. This is the main cause. Our labour market is very lethargic.

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Seqi Friday, 23 February 2024 09:22 AM

Farm workers here in Sri Lanka work longer hours. Those sent as agriculture workers are probably unemployable even as car park attendants.

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Sam Silva Friday, 23 February 2024 06:38 PM

The farm workers in srilanka you are referring are the owners who work long hours may be. But when you get outside workers to do your work it's a different. They want high daily wages and work less hours and work less. Their punctuality is very poor. It's very difficult to find some good hardworking workers these days.

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Joe Friday, 23 February 2024 12:12 PM

That's what happens when unsuitable people are sent for unsuitable jobs. Lazy fatties who've been warming armchairs in government positions can't do labour. To top it all of that the political leadership of this department is a known crook, who already could've imported the luxury electric cars under their names.

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Manel Fonseka Friday, 23 February 2024 12:12 PM

According to a Human Rights Watch Report on Thai agricultural workers, some years ago, the working

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Punchi Friday, 23 February 2024 12:56 PM

The suitability for hard work and calibre of our workers should be evident in their reluctance to work in the tea plantation sector. However when in UK my part time job was moving 60 kegs of beer from a delivery point to a chute in the pavement and stacking them in a cellar. I would accomplish it in about 5 hours. Whereas on a day off, the employer had to use two people to move the kegs and it took them 8 hours.

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Immigrants doing labour jobs cannot sustain for long Saturday, 24 February 2024 01:36 PM

Tea plucking is for woman. Those sent to Israel are men, but men who are unsuited for the work. You brag big, but if you did that 20 years ago, you would be too weak to do it now. Maybe also you work only a week, while the business happy to employ two people for three years. The British who grow up there have their own way of doing things, and their locals know how not to exhaust themselves or get injuries too.

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Ramga Friday, 23 February 2024 01:08 PM

Hahaha Sri Lankans are Lazy that's it

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Patcitz Friday, 23 February 2024 01:33 PM

Gong Nanayakara may be trying to fish in troubled waters, and pay nothing but losing the trust of the people, who will never elect him in an election.

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R Navaratnam Friday, 23 February 2024 01:36 PM

I thought the Ministers comments were poor at this difficult times for the workers. The Minister could have have remained silent.

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Navi Friday, 23 February 2024 07:25 PM

These workers should know that there is nothing call a free lunch. How can we develop our Agriculture

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Mala Friday, 23 February 2024 07:52 PM

Punchi said it all British imported labor from South India for tea plantation. Reason why?

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Tissa Fernando Friday, 23 February 2024 11:56 PM

These guys would have paid a big sum to the Minister for getting the employment. So they were selected not on the basis of capability but how much they were willing to pay for it and the extent they knew those in decision making.

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Manel Fonseka Saturday, 24 February 2024 02:25 AM

According to a Human Rights Watch Report on Thai agricultural workers, some years ago, the working

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Adwani Saturday, 24 February 2024 08:11 AM

The SL workers have complained that they are transfered to places where missiles and rockets are sonetimes expected.

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Anil Saturday, 24 February 2024 09:31 AM

they must have thought it would he like farm work in SL

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Politics decided those going to Israel Saturday, 24 February 2024 01:33 PM

Already the overal situation is troubled. Sending people there in rush shows idiot nature of Manusha Nanayakkara. Recruiting farmers who can do the work is the right thing, but instead he offloads those who support him, SLPP, or UNP who have government jobs.

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Gauz Sunday, 25 February 2024 09:44 AM

Sri Lankan unskilled labourers are no match to Indian skilled labourers. Dubai is built by Indians. Sri Lankan workers will not come to work after getting the salary every month for three days as they consume alcohol and rest.

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