The Chhattisgarh Congress has strongly criticized the state government's decision to publicize recruitment for nursing and caregiving positions in Israel, calling the move insensitive and risky given the ongoing conflict in the region.
Congress Questions Rationale Behind Recruitment Drive
State Congress chief spokesperson Dhananjay Singh Thakur questioned why the government is facilitating the recruitment of 3,500 nursing and caregiving personnel for Israel when government hospitals in Chhattisgarh face acute shortages of healthcare workers. He asked whether state hospitals, district hospitals, primary health centers, and community health centers no longer require additional nursing staff, and whether all healthcare institutions in Chhattisgarh have adequate manpower, prompting the government to encourage trained personnel to seek employment abroad.
Safety Concerns Amid West Asia Conflict
Thakur noted that the recruitment advertisement was issued at a time when many Indians working and studying in West Asian countries are returning home due to security concerns from the ongoing conflict. He alleged that the move could expose nursing professionals to danger. He said, "Unemployment in the state is so severe that trained nursing staff may feel compelled to accept overseas employment because of the attractive salary package. At a time when reports of missile attacks and security concerns are emerging from the region, the government must clarify who will guarantee the safety of these workers."
Demand for Withdrawal of Advertisement
Thakur urged the state government to immediately withdraw the recruitment advertisement and instead fill vacancies in government healthcare institutions across Chhattisgarh.
Details of the Recruitment Drive
The controversy stems from a recruitment drive under the India-Israel Framework Agreement through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). According to district employment authorities, 3,500 vacancies are available in Israel for Home-Based Caregivers. Candidates aged 25 to 45 years with at least Class 10 pass and English studied at intermediate level are eligible. Applicants must hold a passport valid for at least three years and meet prescribed physical and mental fitness criteria.
Candidates with recognized caregiving certifications, including 990 hours of on-the-job training, and qualifications such as auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM), general nurse midwife (GNM), BSc nursing, physiotherapy, nurse assistant, and related healthcare disciplines are eligible. Selected candidates will receive accommodation, food, and medical insurance. After deductions, the monthly salary is approximately Rs 1.99 lakh. The selection process includes online registration, document verification, medical examination, police clearance, and a video interview conducted by Israeli employers.
Upfront Costs and Cautions
Applicants must bear substantial upfront expenses, including registration, processing, medical examinations, police verification, insurance, visa formalities, video interviews, and air travel, totaling several lakh rupees over different stages. Employment officials have advised candidates to register through official channels and be cautious of middlemen and fraudulent agents. A state government official confirmed that a pamphlet advertising the Israel recruitment drive has been circulated.
