Migrant workers

Israel imports record foreign workforce to replace Palestinians, but housing crisis looms

Israel now has 250,000 legal and illegal foreign workers, the highest number ever, according to Israel Population and Immigration Authority figures, with more to come.

Foreign workers seen working in a field near the Ben Gurion Airport, on August 14, 2025.
Thai workers collect freshly harvested fennel near Kibbutz Alumim in southern Israel

New report shows many migrant workers lacked access to shelter during Operation Roaring Lion

Foreign workers in the construction industry with Eldad Nitzan, chairman of the foreign manpower corporations.

Israeli government under pressure to overhaul foreign worker policy

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Yad Vashem with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 26, 2026.

India, Israel agree to increase Indian foreign workers in Israel by 50,000 in the next five years


Residential building blaze in Kuwait kills 49 workers

The death toll from a fire that broke out in a residential building south of Kuwait City has risen to 49. The building housed foreign workers, a common practice in Kuwait and other Gulf states.

A Kuwaiti police officer is seen in front of a burnt building following a deadly fire, in Mangaf, southern Kuwait, June 12, 2024

Influx of foreign construction workers begins

Dozens of foreign workers from India’s construction industry arrived in Israel this week as part of agreements signed by various construction manpower organizations.


Kibbutz sends message of support to Thai victims of October 7

In the letter, thanks and appreciation are expressed to the dedicated Thai workers who worked in agriculture at kibbutz Nir Oz. 

 The clothes of Thai workers, many of who were killed or kidnapped, hang outside a destroyed home, following the deadly Oct. 7 attack by Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip, in Kibbutz Kissufim, southern Israel November 1, 2023.

Israel's indecisiveness on Palestinian workers shows shifting dynamics - analysis

What has remained unchanged? First, a tendency to put off tough decisions; an inclination to kick the can down the road.

 Palestinian workers in Israel

Thai Muslim group, Hamas secure release of hostages in talks

The group believes they are the sole reason for the release of Thai nationals held captive in Gaza.

 Thai workers taken hostage by Hamas and later released as part of a deal between Israel and Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, pose with a member of Thai mission after a medical checkup, in Tel Aviv, Israel, in this handout image released on November 25, 2023.

How war with Hamas has impacted Israel's foreign workers

Here are some of the war stories of Israel’s dedicated foreign workers.

 AN EVACUEE and his caregiver on their way to Yad Sarah’s hotel.

Court strikes rule retaining welfare funds for overstayed foreign workers

The High Court of Justice decided that withholding social deductions from foreign workers was a violation of their rights, and face the Knesset six months to develop alternative regulation.

African migrants take part in a protest against Israel's detention policy toward them

Israel to bring thousands more foreign workers to tackle high living costs

In an effort to reduce the high cost of living, Israel's government is planning to bring thousands of workers from India and China primarily for caregiving and construction sectors.

An African migrant sits near the Old Central Bus Station in south Tel Aviv, Israel February 3, 2020

Experts say Qatar can lead Gulf on protections for workers against heat stress

Qatar bans work from more than twice the hours banned in Saudi Arabia, where the majority of the region's construction projects are underway.

 Migrant labourers work at a construction site at the Aspire Zone in Doha, Qatar, March 26, 2016

Migrant domestic workers suffer ‘modern day slavery’ in Lebanon

The deportation of a beloved Ethiopian community leader refocuses attention on the difficult conditions endured by many African and Asian migrants working in the country.

 A migrant domestic worker from Africa carries her luggage to a bus transporting her with others to the airpot to travel back to her country, in Beirut suburbs, Lebanon October 5, 2020.