Apprehension in Malawi as government sends workers to Israel amid Gaza war.
Opposition leader Kondwani Nankhumwa questions the secrecy of the deal and describes it as ‘an evil transaction’.
Blantyre, Malawi – The departure of hundreds of Malawians to Israel to work as farm labourers has sparked a debate within the Southern African country, which is looking to raise much-needed foreign currency amid a cash crunch.

On November 25, the first tranche of 221 workers left for Israel. Subsequent flights are expected in the days to come, according to a statement from the Ministry of Labour, which did not mention numbers.
Details about the programme were first made public on November 23 by Kondwani Nankhumwa, leader of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party as he spoke in parliament, questioning the secrecy of the deal and describing it as “an evil transaction”.
The] government has gone into such an agreement with Israeli companies when it is fully aware that there is war. No sane parent can send his or her child to work in a country that is at war,” Nankhumwa told journalists after.

The move comes after months of Malawi facing a forex shortage that has disrupted businesses and led to the scarcity of essential commodities like fuel. The country is also experiencing a cost-of-living crisis further exacerbated by the central bank devaluating the national currency, the kwacha, by 44 percent “to counter supply-demand imbalances”.
In November, President Lazarus Chakwera suspended foreign travel for government officials – the latest drastic measure to conserve funds in the country.

The recent move is, therefore another attempt by the government to create jobs for its youthful population – half of Malawi’s 19 million people are 18 or below – and generate foreign exchange. According to the authorities, only 9 percent of its 20 million people are formally employed.
In November, the IMF pumped in $174m into the country as an extended credit facility. That same month, the government of Israel gave out a $60m aid package to Malawi to prop up its economy.
A new chapter
That aid and the dispatch of workers mark a new chapter in diplomatic ties between Malawi and Israel, which date back to the 1960s. For decades, Israel sent doctors and agricultural experts to Malawi. Malawis have also gone to Israel to study agriculture, which remains a major source of revenue for the country.
In 2021, a year after taking office, Chakwera hinted that Malawi would strengthen relations by opening an embassy in Jerusalem. It has not done so yet.

Government officials said the move to send workers to Israel is mutually beneficial for both countries, even if many details remain unclear.

The Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has said 30,000 to 40,000 workers have left the country’s farms since the October 7 attacks by Hamas on southern Israel. Half of them are Palestinians, whom Israel has barred from entering from the occupied West Bank. Consequently, it has been on the hunt for up to 5,000 workers from elsewhere, including from its loyal ally Malawi.

Authorities from the two countries have made assurances that the recruits will not be involved in warfare. But commentators are nevertheless questioning the timing and wondering if Malawi can repatriate its citizens if anything goes wrong as the war continues.
Everybody, including Thailand, is pulling out their people from Israel,” Victor Chipofya, a political science lecturer at Blantyre International University, told Al Jazeera by telephone. “How come Malawi is the only country taking our people to Israel? Those are the questions that we’re supposed to be asking ourselves.”

Thai workers account for one of the largest migrant groups in Israel. As many as 30,000 of them were employed on farms in the country at the time of the Hamas attack. At least 32 Thais were taken captive on October 7, and many remain trapped within the Gaza Strip and Israel.
An unknown number of Malawians may also be trapped in Gaza.

After the war began, Chakwera called for a “cessation of violence by all parties” and the end to military action against known civilian targets in Gaza. He also called for the safety of 300 Malawians in Gaza who are believed to either be residents there or on pilgrimage in Israel. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is yet to confirm if they have since returned home.
When asked about them and the workers who left Malawi last week, a ministry spokesperson directed Al Jazeera to the Labour Ministry, which did not respond.
The Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency, a nonprofit based in Lilongwe, has said it is engaging the National Assembly to address the concerns of Malawians that workers sent to Israel might be at risk of bodily harm or worse.

William Kambwandira, its executive director, described the arrangement as “unfortunate” and akin to modern-day slavery.

“Malawians are interested to know whether this is a government-to-government deal and what are the terms of reference for this deal, including what safety measures have been put in place to protect the young Malawians,” he told Al Jazeera.

https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/12/1/apprehension-as-malawi-sends-workers-to-israel

Serious.

Why did the Malawian government allow such a deal to happen with Israel? I consider it demeaning to take Africans all the way to work in Israeli farms in this 21st century.

Why didn't they go to Europe to hire labourers.

God1000:
Why did the Malawian government allow such a deal to happen with Israel? I consider it demeaning to take Africans all the way to work in Israeli farms in this 21st century.

Why didn't they go to Europe to hire labourers.

Mate. Zip it and have and read!
Some Americans who are farmers went over there to work.

They're not being made to do it, so what's the fuss about!

Botragelad:

Mate. Zip it and have and read!
Some Americans who are farmers went over there to work.

They're not being made to do it, so what's the fuss about!

the Americans went there willingly and individually, not under this kind of deal

God1000:
the Americans went there willingly and individually, not this kind of deal

Are these guys forced to go there?

Botragelad:

Are these guys forced to go there?

I'm looking at the negative image this will give Africa, especially if it turns out bad for them, there are other sectors Africans can do well, why farming?

Remember the kind of treatment some Africans still get in Israel today, I don't hate Israel oo

God1000:
I'm looking at the negative image this will give Africa, especially if it turns out bad for them, there are other sectors Africans can do well, why farming?

Remember the kind of treatment some Africans still get in Israel today, I don't hate Israel oo

You are talking nonsense. They aren't complaining. Why are you?

Botragelad:

You are talking nonsense. They aren't complaining. Why are you?

God1000:

Not funny.

I saw an interview one the Philippinos that was kidnapped by Hammas and later released. The man is working in farm in Israel, He said Thier pay in Israelie farm is good and He will still go bk there to work. So imagine such country, who will not willing to work there

Asians go to israel to work in farm too

Israel has good economy

God1000:
Why did the Malawian government allow such a deal to happen with Israel? I consider it demeaning to take Africans all the way to work in Israeli farms in this 21st century.

Why didn't they go to Europe to hire labourers.

Shut up,you are always Antti-israel,Antichrist person.

God1000:
I'm looking at the negative image this will give Africa, especially if it turns out bad for them, there are other sectors Africans can do well, why farming?

Remember the kind of treatment some Africans still get in Israel today, I don't hate Israel oo

Don't blow this out of proportion.
Citizens from low-income countries emigrate to work as farmhands in high-income countries.
From Israel in the Middle East to Netherlands in Europe to the US in North America.
In 2022, the US issued 298,000 H-2A visas. In comparison, H1B visas are capped at 65,000 (+ 20,00) per year.
If Latinos and Asians can do it; why can't Africans?

-Lord

As a farmer, one of the places you can have the best experience as a farmer is in Israel. Their equipment and their farming practices will surely always make your heart glad. It's the absolute definition of farming without stress. So @God1000, you can rest assured it is a very good deal for those headed there. I am sure Nigerians would jump at such opportunities too, Muslim or not - though it would never be presented to them .

10mobile:
Serious.

Most of those killed by Hamas were the Thai farm labourers. Most of those who survived have returned to Thailand and promised never to return to Israel. It is the murdered Thai farm labourers that Isreal is seeking to replace with cheap labour from Malawi probably because Asians may have embargoed Isreal for now.

The Malawian Govt could still have waited until the war ends. This is where I expect African Union (AU) to step in and persuade the Malawian government to exercise some patience.

Man must chop, make Hamas no kidnap una cause no body go bargain una release 🤧

Omo I for go oh.
Since they pay well.
This is not slavery,but empowerment.
Our government has failed to provide job,another government is doing it,you are telling me not to go.

Botragelad:

You are talking nonsense. They aren't complaining. Why are you?

idiots don't know any better

cancel the deal

FreeStuffsNG:

Most of those killed by Hamas were the Thai farm labourers. Most of those who survived have returned to Thailand and promised never to return to Israel. It is the murdered Thai farm labourers that Isreal is seeking to replace with cheap labour from Malawi probably because Asians may have embargoed Isreal for now.

The Malawian Govt could still have waited until the war ends. This is where I expect African Union (AU) to step in and persuade the Malawian government to exercise some patience.

zomble is it better live they weren't getting in israel until islamic terrorists attacked them?

Many are very well remaining in israel, infact they were given hero's welcome by israel as part of the hostages taken by muslim terrorists

God1000:
Why did the Malawian government allow such a deal to happen with Israel? I consider it demeaning to take Africans all the way to work in Israeli farms in this 21st century.

Why didn't they go to Europe to hire labourers.

be talking like someone high on SCOAN anointing water and dinkum.
Will you employ them or aren't the labourers better than Japa-people washing dead bodies in that same Europe?

FreeStuffsNG:

Most of those killed by Hamas were the Thai farm labourers. Most of those who survived have returned to Thailand and promised never to return to Israel. It is the murdered Thai farm labourers that Isreal is seeking to replace with cheap labour from Malawi probably because Asians may have embargoed Isreal for now.

The Malawian Govt could still have waited until the war ends. This is where I expect African Union (AU) to step in and persuade the Malawian government to exercise some patience.

Idiotic post.
How many has died in peaceful Nigeria where people are practically trekking across deserts and hiding in vessel engines just to go wash dead bodies?
I knew you would disguise your hatred for Israel and Jews with one useless Africa union bullcrap. The gazans are working there and havent placed demonic embargo for obvious reasons yet.