Export of Indian workers to Israel has no legality, say major trade unions

In a joint statement, leading trade unions of India have accused the Indian government of being complicit in the ongoing genocidal war unleashed by Israel against Palestine by exporting Indian workers to replace Palestinians in the construction and caregiving sectors. 

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ALL Central trade unions have unanimously opposed the "export" of "Indian workers to Israel to replace Palestinian workers".

A joint statement issued on November 9 by the unions says that the Indian government is "playing a despicable role of supporting the Israeli plan to throw out Palestinian workers".

These trade unions include the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha, Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Trade Union Coordination Centre, Self-Employed Women's Association, All India Central Council of Trade Unions, Labour Progressive Federation, and United Trade Union Congress.

Background

The chronic conflict between Israel and Palestine has escalated significantly over the last month or so.

During this period, more than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,500 children, in bombings and raids on the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces. Some 1,400 Israelis have also been killed, mostly on the first day of the flare-up on October 7.

Israel ended the direct occupation of the Gaza Strip in 2005, when it withdrew its forces from the territory and cooped the Palestinians up in the 'largest open-air prison in the world', which has led certain rights-based groups argue that the occupation of Gaza never ended.