Israel approves plan to import 92,000 foreign workers

Israel has approved a quota of 92,000 foreign workers to address the critical labor shortage across key sectors of its economy.

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This decision, announced by the Prime Minister’s Office, is noteworthy for permitting foreign workers in the restaurant industry for the first time in Israel’s history.

The quota distribution is notable, with 70% earmarked specifically for agricultural laborers. This prioritization reflects the critical need within Israeli agriculture, which has been grappling with substantial losses in both production and workforce. Before this decision, the reliance was primarily on approximately 29,900 foreign workers, predominantly from Thailand, who were employed in farms, orchards, greenhouses, and packing plants.