Indians exploited in Israel

Jerusalem, Jan. 26: An Israeli lawmaker has submitted a parliamentary query to the interior minister regarding employment of a large contingent of Indian workers at a paper mill, on mean compensation terms and excessive hours at the job in violation of Israeli norms, a media report here said.

The parliamentary query by the lawmaker, Ms Shelly Yachimovich, who is known for raising social issues at the Israeli Knesset, was prompted by information provided by an NGO, Kav La’Oved, the Worker’s Hotline for the Protection of their rights, daily Ha’aretz reported.

The NGO has alleged that the Indians are being paid $450 a month for six days of work per week and are on the job every day for nine to 11 hours.

The rights group also alleges that the Indians’ employer is holding their passports, which makes them apprehensive about traveling in Israel without any documentation on their days off.

Hadera Paper, a part of the leading Israeli businessman, Mr Nochi Dankner’s IDB group, where the Indians are working, told the daily that they are being employed by a large Indian firm that is installing a paper recycling plant for them, and not by the Israeli company itself.

Ms Yachimovich in her query has argued that taking away a worker’s passport is in itself against the law and has asked whether Hadera Paper received a permit to employ the Indians and whether their work conditions are contrary to Israeli labour laws.

She has also asked the interior minister, Mr Eli Yishai, as to how he intends to protect the workers.