679 workers exported to Israel in 2 months

In less than two months, Malawi has exported 679 employees to Israel with hundreds more lined up for departure in a few days time.

The 679 are expected to inject into the economy at least about K1.7 billion every month.

According to the labour agreement between the two countries, each employee receives $1 500 per month with food and accommodation already provided for.

In a written response, Ministry of Labour spokesperson Nellie Kapatuka confirmed the figures and stated that the agreement, as of last month, was for Malawi to send 15 000 employees.

She said: “So far, 679 youths have gone to Israel under the Malawi-Israel labour export deal where they are working in the agriculture, hospitality, and construction sectors.

“As of December 2023, the initial demand figure was 15 000 Malawian workers, but this may be subject to change.”

Should Malawi send the 15 000, it will be able to earn about $22 500 000 in forex every month, or about K38 billion or K459 billion annually, at the current exchange rate.

Malawian recruiting agencies are also working around the clock to meet the demand in Israel while following all necessary procedures.

In an interview, recruiting agency Workers for Arava country director Farmers Justice Kangulu said so far, they sent 109 but are currently processing 2 000 visas.

Lion Recruitment Agency said it has an order of about 5 000 people, with an expected extension of up to 10 000 once they meet the first target.

The agency’s chief executive officer Chifundo Banda said for those who left last year their first pay is scheduled for January 10th.

“On our database we have about 600 people with paperwork we have submitted to Israel immigration, 200 at the moment waiting on the visa approvals then will send the plane when visas are issued,” said Banda.

According to last month communication last month from Malawi’s envoy in Israel said no salary will be paid in Israel or given by cash to anyone, but a cash advance can be collected from the employer up to not more than 10 percent of the salary.

With this arrangement, it means 90 percent of these funds will be available in Malawi and will go a long way to improve the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

In his Mid-term Budget Review statement in November last year, Minister of Finance Simplex Chithyola Banda indicated that Malawi had a labour agreement with a country he never named.

Said the minister: “This initiative is expected to export not less than 5 000 job seekers in the agriculture sector. In this programme, a defined portion of all workers’ compensation will be paid directly on a monthly basis into their foreign currency denominated accounts held in our local banks.

“This programme will be open to all banks and it is estimated that approximately $180 million will be remitted to Malawi every year for five years from the 5 000 employees.”

Malawi targets to export 10 000 to 15 000 employees over the next five years to Israel and other countries according to the mid-term budget review statement.