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Time of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Huge job demand in Israel, Telangana must tap it': Diaspora representative urges govt to skill workers better, warns of dip in India's image over untrained recruits
Soma Ravi, president of the Israel Telangana Association, urges the Telangana government to capitalize on the high demand for skilled workers in Israel, where they could earn ₹1.5 to ₹2.5 lakh monthly. HYDERABAD: There is a huge demand for skilled workers in Israel, and this opportunity should be fully tapped by the state govt, said Israel Telangana Association president Soma Ravi. Ravi, who has been working in Israel for the past 20 years and is currently visiting Hyderabad, said, "If the Telangana govt takes more interest in ensuring that workers are properly skilled, workers sent to Israel could earn ₹1.5 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh per month." He expressed concern over the declining image of Indian workers in recent years. "In the last couple of years, the image of Indian workers suffered as those who came there claiming to be skilled were found not fit for the jobs they were recruited for," he said. Due to such issues, there were instances where Indian workers were asked to find other jobs for themselves, he added. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad After the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023, the country sought skilled manpower due to restrictions on Palestinian workers. As a result, workers from various Indian states were sent to Israel. "The fact that Indian workers did not show proper and adequate skill sets has cast a shadow on the image of Indian workers. As a result, workers from other countries are being provided opportunities," Ravi said. He suggested that the govt not only focus on skilling workers in sectors like construction, hospitality, and healthcare but also reassure people about the safety of working in Israel. "Because of the war, people may harbour some misgivings about the security, but there need not be such fears," he said. Referring to a recent conflict, Ravi said, "During the recent Israel-Iran conflict, even when Israel came under missile attack from Iran, hardly any of the workers from Telangana there returned to India. This was because we followed security instructions and everyone was safe." Currently, about 10,000 Indians are said to be working in Israel, including about 1,000 from Telangana, mainly in the Ramat Gan area near Tel Aviv. Most are employed in construction, housekeeping, or as caregivers.
New Indian Express
23-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Indians, many from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, stay put in Israel despite rising tensions
HYDERABAD: Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, most Indian expatriates in Israel, including many from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, are reluctant to return home, despite evacuation efforts by Indian authorities. Soma Ravi, president of the Israel Telangana Association, told TNIE that the Indian Embassy has arranged transportation for those willing to leave. 'On Monday, the embassy will facilitate travel from Tel Aviv to Jordan, with repatriation to India expected by evening,' he said. Most Indians living in Israel are construction workers and caretakers. 'Most Indians don't want to leave because returning means losing their jobs, which are their primary livelihood,' Ravi explained. 'There's fear that once they leave, companies will replace them, adding to the financial burden of existing debts back home.' Even with employers' consent, returning to Israel and regaining the same job with comparable pay is uncertain. 'Employers may find permanent replacements, jeopardising employment stability,' he said. 'Indians earn more here' Indian workers in Israel often earn more than in other countries, Ravi noted. 'How can they be expected to abandon stable, well-paying jobs for an uncertain future?' After the embassy's evacuation announcement, Ravi shared a voice message in a WhatsApp group with nearly 1,000 members. 'Only four responded. That shows how secure people feel here.' He added that life in Tel Aviv remains manageable. 'The situation is under control. We follow safety protocols and take shelter in bunkers when alarms sound.'
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Telangana workers living in Israel endure harrowing night of missile strikes near Tel Aviv
Hyderabad: Telangana workers residing in Ramat Gan, a city near Tel Aviv, experienced an unprecedented night of fear and disruption as missile attacks by Iran on the night of June 13-14 triggered repeated air raid sirens and defensive action from Israel's Iron Dome system. 'We spent a sleepless night with sirens wailing continuously as the attacks persisted. Unlike previous incidents, where sirens would sound and then quieten, this time the threat was real and sustained. We could actually hear the missiles and the Iron Dome intercepting them,' a Telangana worker in Ramat Gan told TOI on Saturday. Ramat Gan, home to around 1,000 workers from Telangana—mostly employed as construction labourers or caregivers—has rarely faced such direct threats, even during past conflicts involving Hamas. Workers, who typically live in older buildings equipped with basement bomb shelters, would usually take temporary refuge during sirens and return to their apartments within minutes. But this time was different. 'As the missile barrage continued through the night, many of us moved to newer buildings with larger shelters,' said Soma Ravi, president of the Telangana Israel Association. 'Each flat in these buildings has a designated 'safe room', and the basements offer more spacious shelters. We needed a place where we could remain for hours together,' he told TOI. Many workers in Ramat Gan recalled the harrowing experience of rushing to safe rooms as missiles rained through the night. What was earlier a brief routine of seeking shelter turned into hours-long confinement as the sirens kept blaring and explosions echoed around them. 'For the first time, we had to shift to newer buildings with larger bomb shelters, highlighting the severity and unpredictability of the situation this time,' a worker said. Ravi, who had planned to fly to Hyderabad to meet his daughter visiting from the US, had to postpone his trip as Tel Aviv's airport operations were suspended following the Israeli govt's declaration of a state of emergency. 'I was looking forward to being with my family in Hyderabad. But with the airport shut, I've had to delay my travel plans. I'm hoping the situation improves soon,' he said. Even as workers remained safe, the intensity of the attack was evident. 'Debris from a shot-down missile fell near my building,' one Telangana worker said, underscoring how close the danger came. Despite the tense night, the community is safe and resilient—but for many, it was an experience unlike anything they had faced before. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Telangana workers in Israel urged to stay alert amid escalating tensions
Hyderabad: Telangana workers in Israel have been advised to remain vigilant and respond swiftly to warning sirens as tensions escalate following Israel's airstrikes on Iran. A voice message circulated across WhatsApp groups of Telangana workers urged them not to take any risks and immediately shift into safe shelters when sirens are sounded. "This is an unprecedented situation. We must act responsibly and follow all government instructions for our safety," said Soma Ravi, president of the Israel Telangana Association, speaking to TOI from Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv on Friday. The message was shared widely among the nearly 1,000 Telangana workers in Israel, most of whom are employed in construction or as caregivers in and around Ramat Gan. "We've always responded promptly to alerts. But given the current situation, we are staying extra cautious. Sirens can go off any time," Ravi added. Recalling the events of the night of June 12–13, after Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes on Iran using over 200 fighter jets, Mahesh Merugu, a worker from Telangana, said: "Around 3 am, sirens went off. We rushed into the safe room and stayed there for 40 minutes." Other workers said that depending on the alert level, they sometimes exit shelters after 10 minutes. "We must reach the nearest safe spot within two minutes when a siren sounds," Ravi explained. Interestingly, many workers are choosing not to inform their families back home about the real situation. "The moment we call and say we're safe, our families start worrying. We don't want to give them unnecessary anxiety. So far, we've never faced any serious problem here," Mahesh said. Despite the heightened tensions, the workers remain unfazed. They said they would consider returning to India only if directed by the Indian govt, but none are currently inclined to leave. Even though Israel has declared a national emergency, the workers said buses are running, allowing them to reach their workplaces. While educational institutions and the Tel Aviv airport remain closed, they said daily life continues without major disruptions. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
