Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera and his government are under fire from opposition figures and rights groups for sending 221 young Malawians to work on farms in Israel.
This decision comes in the wake of Israel providing Malawi with a $60 million aid package aimed at supporting economic recovery.
Critics are questioning the lack of transparency surrounding the labor export deal and the potential risks faced by Malawian citizens, particularly considering the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group.
Opposition leader Kondwani Nankhumwa expressed concern about sending people to a country in conflict, especially when some nations are withdrawing their labor forces.
Nankhumwa further raised questions about the secrecy surrounding the deal, emphasizing that the government only informed parliament about the plan to send workers to an undisclosed country on November 22.
In defense of the decision, the government stated that the labor export initiative is part of a broader strategy to create jobs and empower the youth.
Authorities assured the public of the safety and security of the workers, asserting that they would be stationed in locations deemed “fit and safe.”
Additionally, workers will be provided with medical insurance and repatriation protections.
This move comes at a challenging time for Malawi, grappling with an economic crisis marked by a 44% currency devaluation and stringent cost-cutting measures implemented by President Chakwera.
Critics argue that the government should address domestic issues before engaging in controversial international labor arrangements.
Malawian Government Faces Backlash For Sending Workers To Israel Farms, Malawian Government Faces Backlash For Sending Workers To Israel Farms
