Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
25 January 2024 | 10:21 a.m. SAST
1-min read

In this week’s edition of the Asia-Pacific Report on Radio Islam International: thousands of Indian migrant labourers recruited for jobs in Israel, Asian exporters face higher risks due to US-led attacks on Houthis in the Red Sea, and Modi under fire for opening Hindu temple in Ayodhya ahead of elections.

Amidst Israel’s onslaught on Gaza, thousands of labourers from India are taking up employment in Israel. The recent halt or non-issuance of work permits for Palestinians has created a labour market vacuum.

“Israeli companies are now looking for what you call external labour,” Sanusha Naidu reports.

This migration trend reflects a longstanding pattern of South Asian migrant labour moving to various regions, including the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Naidu notes that the influx of Indian labourers raises questions about the safety of these migrants as well as the broader diplomatic relations between India and Israel.

Naidu notes the economic context in India, which is marked by a desperate need for jobs.

The Red Sea tensions and US-led attacks on Houthis are significantly impacting Asian exporters. The Red Sea, a vital maritime route for shipping, now faces heightened danger, affecting demand and supply, shipping routes, and export-led activities for countries in Asia.

“The risk for Asian exporters is not just in terms of the financial cost; it’s also the risk in terms of the kinds of goods they’re exporting, especially goods that will then actually impact on their balance of payment and foreign currency reserves,” Naidu says.

The Red Sea blockade restricts the movement of cargo ships, especially those from the US and UK.

The controversial decision by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to open a temple on the site of the Babri Masjid is viewed as an election strategy, utilising history and religion to influence voters and distinguish the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from its opposition.

Listen to the Asia-Pacific Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.