Thai workers in Israel: between hope and danger
Every year, thousands of Thai workers come to Israel to work in agriculture. Coming from poor regions in Thailand, they see this opportunity as a chance to earn a better salary to support their family. However, this quest for a better life is often accompanied by dangers and difficulties.
Working conditions for Thai workers in Israel are often precarious. Exposed to pesticides and agricultural chemicals, they put their health at risk. In addition, the housing in which they live is often unsanitary, with a lack of hygiene and deplorable living conditions.
In 2015, a Human Rights Watch report denounced the often inhumane treatment of immigrant workers in Israel, highlighting the abuses Thai workers face on a daily basis. Despite this, they continue to migrate to Israel, hoping to find work and be able to send money to their families.
However, the recent Hamas attack, which left twenty-one Thai workers dead and fourteen others taken hostage, has caused a sense of fear and insecurity among the Thai community. Many Thai workers are now expressing their desire to leave Israel and return home. The precarious living conditions and the dangers they face have been amplified by this recent tragic event.
The Thai government has taken steps to repatriate Thai workers to Israel. Around 5,000 of them are expected to be returned to their country of origin in the coming days. However, there are still workers stranded in Israel and their families back home are anxious about their fate.
The fate of Thai workers in Israel highlights the challenges and risks faced by migrant workers across the world. Their quest for a better life is often tarnished by precarious working conditions, abuse and dangerous situations. It is important to protect the rights of these workers and ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect, wherever they are.