Twelve Malawians have been deported from Israel for leaving their designated farms to seek better-paying jobs elsewhere.
They were among over 40 foreign workers arrested at a bakery in Tel Aviv last week.
Despite being part of a labor agreement between Israel and Malawi, they were dissatisfied with agricultural working conditions and opted to work in a bakery instead.
Israel’s ambassador to Malawi, Michael Lotem, emphasised that anyone violating visa terms would be deported, as in any country.
“I hope it will be a sign for others that it is better to stick to the job. Nobody forced them to come, they came to do a job, they should do the job that is all.”
Last week, Benzani, a Malawian worker in Israel, informed the BBC that some fellow countrymen employed on different farms were earning less than Israel’s minimum wage.
“The minimum wage in Israel is 32 shekels ($8.60; £6.85) an hour, but some of us are being paid 18 to 20 shekels an hour.”
Benzani stated that many had signed contracts promising a monthly salary of $1,500.
Benzani was not among those deported.
Mr. Lotem suggested that instead of leaving their assigned farms and violating their visa terms, they should have filed a complaint.
“If someone thinks that he is not getting what he deserves, there is a hotline and a phone number they can call
“Violating the law is not the answer.
“The Israeli police shows zero tolerance to illegal activity especially these days when we have so many other troubles,” Mr Lotem stated.
Last year, the Israeli government initiated a labor program to address a shortage of agricultural workers following the deadly attacks on Israel by Hamas in October.
As a result, Israel ceased issuing permits to Palestinians to work on its farms, and around 10,000 migrant farm workers, primarily from Thailand, left Israel after the outbreak of war.
In response, over 200 Malawians traveled to Israel, while Kenya agreed to send 1,500 workers.
The announcement of the agreement prompted mixed reactions in Kenya, with some expressing concerns about their safety.
Both governments emphasized that the initiative would help alleviate unemployment in their respective countries.
Additionally, Israeli ambassador Michael Lotem stated that a new agreement had been reached for another 3,000 Malawians to work in Israel.