They consider it an opportunity, despite the war: in Malawi, a southern African country among the poorest on the planet, hundreds of young people are lining up, ready to join Israel to work there, with the hope of a better life.
“It’s risky, but it’s better than staying at home doing nothing”, told AFP a young woman of 24, who did not wish to give her name. Like her, there are several hundred of them this November day waiting to submit their application at the start, in this hotel in the capital, Lilongwe, temporarily transformed into a recruitment center. Clutching a brown envelope containing her file, she says she has been unemployed since finishing her studies three years ago: “I pray we all get home safely, but it’s a risk I’m taking. »
Malawi, where nearly three-quarters of the 20 million inhabitants live below the poverty line, is running an emigration program targeting young people, particularly to enable them to earn foreign currency, which the country desperately needs.
“We make bets”
Lilongwe has developed close ties with Tel Aviv over the years, while other African countries have more radically defended Palestinian rights. In the past, the country has already sent agricultural graduates to Israel.
Since the Hamas attacks of October 7, followed by massive Israeli bombing of Gaza in retaliation, thousands of agricultural workers have left farms in Israel, stripping this important sector of the national economy of part of its workforce. ‘artwork. In addition to the exodus, some 350,000 Israelis were drafted and Palestinian workers in Gaza had their Israeli work permits revoked after the attacks.
“Life is made of chance, we make bets. Sometimes it’s good to take risks”, philosopher Blessings Kanyimbo, another candidate. On Wednesday evening, a plane took off for Tel Aviv. Another had already left last week, carrying more than 200 young men and women attracted by the promises of employment on deserted farms.
Up to 5,000 Malawians could thus be sent to Israel, according to the authorities. Recruitments are planned until the end of January 2024.
“Anything can happen anywhere”
“Life is harder and harder in Malawi. We can’t see the end of the tunnel”, laments Graciam Banda, who is also waiting patiently in line. This 30-year-old trader says he earns the equivalent of 60 dollars (55 euros) per month when Israel promises him a monthly salary of 1,500 dollars. “I have to feed my family, pay my rent and take care of everything else. With what I earn here, it’s impossiblehe calculates. This job, even 6,800 km away, is lucky for me. »
The opposition in Malawi called the agreement “export of labor” of the government of “evil transaction” with a region where the war has already left thousands dead. Human rights groups have demanded that the exact terms of the deal with Israel be revealed so that Malawians are informed of the risks they face. But the government rejects the criticism outright while dozens of foreign workers were among the 239 people taken hostage by Hamas, according to Israel.
“Our young people are working in many countries like Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Israel and many othersexplained to AFP the Minister of Information, Moses Kunkuyu. Anything can happen anywhere, but the same level of security that is afforded to Israeli citizens will be afforded to Malawian citizens. » The Israeli ambassador to Malawi, Michael Lotem, for his part assured in the local press that this is an agreement “win-win”, arguing that Malawians will gain money and knowledge, while Israel will partly fill its labor gap. Malawian workers “don’t go to Gaza. They will work in Israel »underlined Mr. Lotem, promising: “We will take care of them as much as we take care of the Israelis. »