Israel Manpower Agency
Israel’s labour market has never faced a challenge quite like this. The events of October 7, 2023 set in motion a workforce crisis that continues to reshape how Israeli businesses hire, operate, and plan for the future. With Palestinian workers from the West Bank and Gaza largely barred from entering Israel
on security grounds, Israeli employers across construction, agriculture, caregiving, manufacturing, and services have been scrambling to fill a void that has cost the economy billions of shekels and stalled critical infrastructure projects nationwide.
The answer — increasingly, unmistakably — is India.
And for Israeli employers who need a reliable, compliant, and experienced bridge to India’s vast and skilled workforce, one name stands apart: Manpower First — India’s premier manpower agency with 37 years of proven overseas recruitment expertise
The Scale of Israel's Labour Crisis — And Why It Is Far From Over
Before October 7, 2023, an estimated 190,000 Palestinian workers were employed across Israel.
Around 95,000 of them worked in construction alone — the backbone of a sector building homes, roads, hospitals, and public infrastructure for a growing nation. Overnight, that workforce disappeared.
The ripple effects were immediate and severe. At the peak of the crisis, nearly half of all construction sites across Israel were either shut down or running at sharply reduced capacity. The Finance Ministry projected a 35% drop in monthly construction output — equivalent to approximately NIS 2.4 billion in losses every single month. In agriculture, where Palestinians made up around 12% of the workforce, output fell by 19%. Healthcare facilities came under mounting pressure. Manufacturing lines slowed.
Government measures helped at the margins. Grants of up to NIS 29,000 were offered to incentivise Israeli workers to enter construction. By year’s end, only a few hundred had taken them up. The conclusion was stark: Israeli workers alone cannot fill this gap, and they are unlikely to do so in the near future.
By the end of 2024, Israel was still short approximately 28,000 construction workers alone, even after the government had rapidly expanded foreign worker quotas and brought in tens of thousands of labourers from India, Sri Lanka, China, and other countries.
In 2025, Israel issued over 61,000 new work permits to foreign nationals — bringing the total foreign workforce to more than 227,000. And in early 2026, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister Modi formalised a landmark agreement to bring an additional 50,000 Indian workers to Israel over the next five years, with expanded access across construction, manufacturing, food services, and
caregiving.
The message from Israel’s government, employers, and economists is clear: India is the solution.
The Iran Conflict: A New Layer of Pressure on Israel's Labour Market
In June 2025, the regional security situation escalated dramatically when a 12-day military conflict broke out between Israel and Iran — the most direct confrontation between the two nations to date. US-Israeli strikes targeted Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, and Iran responded with largescale missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory. The conflict ended in an informal ceasefire, but its economic aftershocks continue to be felt.
For Israel’s already-strained labour market, the timing could not have been more difficult. The conflict added a fresh wave of uncertainty at precisely the moment employers were beginning to stabilise their workforce pipelines after the October 2023 disruption.
The economic consequences were significant across multiple fronts:
• Foreign workers already in Israel — particularly from Southeast Asian countries — left or suspended their stays due to security concerns, tightening the workforce further
• At least four international companies halted or withdrew investment projects in Israel in the weeks following the conflict, according to Israeli financial media
• The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange saw a sharp decline, and some tech companies lost up to 20% of their value during the period of peak uncertainty
• Reserve mobilisation — already a drain since October 2023 — continued to remove Israeli workers from the civilian economy, with an estimated 350,000 reservists mobilised at peak, representing approximately 7% of the national workforce
• The Bank of Israel estimated the cumulative economic toll of more than two years of conflict at nearly $47 billion in lost output
The IMF, meanwhile, warned that renewed regional hostilities represent the primary downside risk to Israel’s economic recovery — flagging elevated defense spending, high risk premiums, and persistent worker shortages as the key vulnerabilities.
What this means for Israeli employers
The compounding effect of the Gaza war, the Iran conflict, ongoing reserve mobilisation,
and the departure of various foreign worker groups has created a labour market under
sustained, multi-directional pressure. Relying on ad-hoc hiring or single-source labour
pools is no longer a viable strategy.
The employers navigating this environment most successfully are those who have
established a reliable, long-term pipeline with a trusted manpower agency in India — a
country with a stable bilateral agreement, a vast workforce, and no exposure to regional
security disruptions.
Why Indian Workers Are the Right Fit for Israel
India has been supplying Israel with workers for decades. Thousands of Indian caregivers have looked after Israel’s elderly population for years. Indian IT professionals and diamond traders have long been a familiar presence. What has changed dramatically since October 2023 is the scale, the urgency, and the breadth of sectors now actively seeking Indian talent.
Indian workers bring a combination of qualities that Israeli employers have come to value deeply:
• Strong work ethic and professional discipline across skilled and semi-skilled trades
• Qualifications and certifications recognised internationally — welders, masons, electricians, nurses, engineers
• Adaptability to new environments, climates, and working cultures
• Cost-effective deployment with competitive wage expectations compared to European alternatives
• A well-established bilateral framework between India and Israel that governs legal deployment
Israeli contractors, agricultural operators, hospital administrators, and facility managers are not simply choosing Indian workers because they are available. They are choosing them because they deliver. The Israeli Builders Association itself formally urged the government to recruit from India — a statement of confidence that speaks for itself.
Over 20,000 Indian workers had arrived in Israel between November 2023 and mid-2025 alone, with thousands more in the pipeline. The India-Israel corridor is not a short-term emergency fix. It is becoming a structural feature of Israel’s labour market for the decade ahead.
What sets Manpower First apart as your Israel manpower agency:
✔ 37 years of international recruitment experience.
✔ Deep candidate database across all major blue- and white-collar trades.
✔ Skill testing and verification before deployment.
✔ End-to-end visa and documentation support.
✔ Medical fitness examinations arranged in India.
✔ Dedicated account manager for every Israeli employer client.
✔ Rapid mobilisation — we understand that in Israel’s current climate, speed is everything.
Sectors We Serve for Israeli Employers
Manpower First supplies verified, job-ready workers across every sector facing shortages in Israel today:
• Construction — masons, shuttering carpenters, steel fixers, general labourers, site supervisors, civil engineers.
• Agriculture — farm workers, greenhouse operators, harvest and irrigation staff.
• Caregiving & Healthcare — experienced caregivers for elderly and disability support, nurses, paramedics.
• Manufacturing — machine operators, production line workers, quality control staff.
• Hospitality & Food Services — chefs, kitchen staff, housekeeping, hotel management.
• Logistics — drivers, warehouse operatives, heavy equipment operators.
• Cleaning & Facility Management — residential, commercial, and industrial cleaning teams.
How Can Israeli Employers Recruit Workers from India?
Recruiting foreign workers from India to Israel is a structured, government-regulated process managed through Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA). When handled correctly — and with the right agency partner — it is efficient, transparent, and straightforward. Here is a complete step-by-step guide:
Step 1
Step 1: PIBA Approval (Employer Eligibility)
The first step for any Israeli employer is to obtain approval from the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) to recruit foreign workers.
You will need to:
• Submit company details, workforce requirements, and job roles
• Justify the need for foreign workers based on documented labour shortage
• Align your application with sectors facing active shortages (construction, agriculture, caregiving, manufacturing)
Approval timeline: 3–4 weeks
Step 2
Step 2: Candidate Selection & Offer Letters
Once PIBA approval is granted:
• Manpower First shares pre-screened, verified candidate profiles matching your requirements
• You review and select suitable candidates
• Issue formal offer letters to each selected worker
Your offer letter must include:
• Salary details and payment terms
• Working hours and schedule
• Accommodation address and full details
• Food provision arrangements (if applicable)
Candidates review and sign the offer letter before the process proceeds.
Step 3
Step 3: Worker-Specific Work Permit
After each offer letter is accepted, the employer applies for a worker-specific work permit for each candidate.
The permit is issued based on:
• Job role and sector classification
• The signed offer letter
• Worker documentation provided by Manpower First
Processing time: typically 3–4 weeks (sometimes faster for high-priority sectors).
Once approved, the employer shares the permit with Manpower First to initiate the final
deployment phase.
Step 4
Step 4: Documentation & Deployment
After permit approval, Manpower First takes full ownership of:
• Complete documentation preparation
• Immigration formalities
• Medical tests (where required)
• Visa processing
• Pre-departure orientation for all workers
• Final deployment to Israel
This ensures a smooth, end-to-end hiring process with minimal ongoing involvement from
the employer.
Overall Timeline Summary
| Phase | Duration |
| PIBA Approval | 3–4 weeks |
| Worker-Specific Work Permit | 3–4 weeks |
| Documentation, Visa & Deployment | Managed by Manpower First |
Summary
The process for hiring foreign workers in Israel is structured, efficient, and straightforward when handled correctly. Once PIBA approval is secured, the remaining steps — from candidate selection to deployment — can be executed seamlessly with Manpower First as your Israel manpower agency.
Recommendation: Employers should initiate the PIBA approval process immediately to avoid delays and begin recruitment at the earliest opportunity.
The India-Israel Labour Agreement: A Window of Opportunity
The landmark bilateral agreement signed between India and Israel formalises what the market has already proven: Indian workers are Israel’s most reliable and scalable source of foreign labour for the years ahead. The 2026 agreement between Prime Ministers Modi and Netanyahu to place an additional 50,000 Indian workers in Israel over five years signals strong government support from both sides.
What this means for Israeli employers is straightforward — the legal pathway is clear, the government is facilitating it, and agencies like Manpower First are ready to execute at scale. However, not all recruitment agencies in India operate at the same standard. The influx of demand has, unfortunately, also created space for unregistered and inexperienced operators. Choosing a licensed, long-established agency matters — not just for the quality of your workers, but for your legal compliance and duty of care as an employer.
Manpower First operates with full compliance with Indian government regulations for overseas recruitment, and ensures every worker we deploy has a legal, documented pathway to their destination.
Why Israeli Employers Choose Manpower First Over Other Manpower Agencies in India
There are hundreds of recruitment agencies in India claiming to serve the Israeli market. Here is what
differentiates Manpower First:
Experience You Can’t Manufacture
37 active years in international recruitment. We have placed workers in the GCC, Europe, Russia, and Asia — not as a pilot programme, but as a core business. Israel is not new to us.
Speed That Matches the Urgency
We know Israel doesn’t have time for slow agencies. Our deep candidate database means we can begin shortlisting within 7 days of receiving your brief. Projects cannot wait — and with us, they don’t have to.
Quality You Can Verify
Every candidate we send is skill-tested and medically cleared before departure. You receive profiles, not promises. We stake our 37-year reputation on every placement.
A Relationship, Not a Transaction
Every Israeli employer client gets a dedicated account manager who understands your business, your timeline, and your workforce needs.
We grow with you — not just fill your immediate vacancy.
Frequently Asked Questions — Israeli Employers
How quickly can Manpower First supply workers to Israel?
We can begin presenting shortlisted, verified candidates within 7 days of receiving your detailed brief.
Visa and documentation timelines are then managed by us end-to-end, minimising delays at every
stage.
What sectors can Manpower First supply for?
Construction, agriculture, caregiving, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, food services, logistics, and cleaning and facility management. Contact us if your sector is not listed — our network is extensive.
Is deployment of Indian workers to Israel legally compliant?
Yes. India and Israel have a formal bilateral labour agreement governing the deployment of Indian workers. Manpower First operates fully within this framework, managing all documentation, permits, and compliance on your behalf.
What is the minimum number of workers we can request?
We handle both individual placements and bulk recruitment mobilisations of hundreds of workers.
Contact us with your requirement and we will advise on the most efficient approach.
How does Manpower First verify candidate skills?
All candidates undergo role-specific skill assessments and, where required, technical tests and trade certifications.
Medical fitness examinations are also conducted before departure
Ready to Solve Your Workforce Challenge?
Partner with India’s most experienced manpower agency. Tell us your requirement and we will have
workers on their way to Israel faster than you thought possible.
About Manpower First
Manpower First is a premier recruitment agency headquartered in Mumbai, India, with 37 years of international manpower supply experience. We connect global employers with India’s most skilled blue- and white-collar workforce across construction, caregiving, manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, logistics, and more. Trusted by over 100 companies across the Middle East, Europe, Russia, and Asia, we offer end-to-end recruitment — from sourcing and screening to visa, documentation, and pre-departure orientation. We are a preferred Israel manpower agency for employers who value speed, compliance, and quality they can rely on.