President Lazarus Chakwera and his administration have come under heavy fire from opposition parties and human rights organizations in Malawi for sending 221 young Malawians to work as farm laborer’s in Israel.
This decision was put into effect on Saturday and follows Israel’s recent $60 million (£47 million) assistance pledge to Malawi with the goal of assisting with its economic recovery.
Concerns about the deal’s secrecy and possible risks to Israeli residents during Israel’s confrontation with Hamas have led to criticism of the labour export agreement.
“Sending people to a war-torn country like Israel, where some countries are withdrawing their labour is something unheard of,” Malawian opposition leader Kondwani Nankhumwa told the BBC.
In addition, he questioned why the administration had withheld information about the agreement, finally telling parliament on November 22 that workers would be transferred to an undisclosed nation.
In an effort to “fulfil this administration’s commitment to job creation and youth empowerment,” the government has defended the agreement, claiming that Malawians will be sent to Israel and other nations.
The government also gave assurances regarding the security and safety of the Malawians, stating that they will be given medical insurance and protections against repatriation in addition to working in areas that are “classified as fit and safe.”
