Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera faces criticism for secretly sending 221 youths to work on Israeli farms, following a $60 million aid package from Israel to Malawi.
The overnight airlift by an Israeli Airbus A321-251 sparked public anger, with concerns raised about the lack of transparency in the government’s decision.
Labour Ministry Principal Secretary Wezi Kayira defended the move, stating that exporting labor, including to Israel, creates jobs and generates foreign exchange for the nation.
Kayira assured that the Malawian youths sent to Israel would not be involved in the conflict with Hamas, emphasizing their work in certified and safe environments.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition Chairman Gift Trapence condemned the government’s secrecy on the labor export deal with Israel, urging transparency.
Opposition leader Kondwani Nankhumwa accused the government of engaging in an “evil transaction” by sending youths to work in a country at war.
Nankhumwa revealed that the issue was kept secret to avoid scrutiny, emphasizing the inherent risks of sending young workers to a conflict zone.
The Israeli Agriculture Ministry noted the departure of 30,000 to 40,000 workers, half of whom were Palestinians barred from entering Israel due to attacks.
Amid this, the Israeli government aims to recruit 5,000 workers from various countries, including Malawi, to address the labor shortage on farms.
