Israeli newspaper reported on Monday, citing a government official, that Israel plans to bring in around 70,000 foreign workers from China, India, and other places to support the construction sector, which has largely halted since the attack by the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). Yehuda Morgensztern, the director-general of the Ministry of Construction and Housing, told the Calcalist economic newspaper that the government will approve a plan to increase the number of foreign construction workers to 70,000 from 50,000.
The number was raised in November to 50,000 workers from 30,000 to support the housing sector, which has been suffering from a labor shortage since about 80,000 Palestinian construction workers were barred from entering Israel following the Hamas attack. Morgensztern stated, "There is a shortage in the workforce sector. Consequently, the average construction time for each building in Israel has increased to 34 months from 30 months in 2021 and 27 months in 2014."
He added that approximately 20,000 foreign workers will be brought in without bilateral agreements with their home countries. He noted that the workers will generally come from China, India, Sri Lanka, and Moldova, with about ten thousand expected to arrive in the first quarter. Morgensztern mentioned that even if the currently absent Palestinian workers—numbering around 80,000—return, the housing sector will benefit from additional foreign labor since the time to build homes is increasing.
He also added that the ministry recommended accepting about ten thousand Palestinians in infrastructure projects outside Israeli cities, in coordination with mayors.
