More than 1,300 workers selected under a Uttar Pradesh government scheme for employment in Israel have remained in limbo for over 14 months, triggering anger and protests, even as fresh vacancies for 2026 have been announced.

The candidates were chosen during the 2024–25 recruitment drive conducted by the state Skill Development Department. Of nearly 5,000 applicants from across Uttar Pradesh, 1,383 were selected after a multi-stage process, but none has been deployed so far.

Workers said they completed all required formalities, including English screening, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) training, interviews with Israeli employers and document verification in Varanasi. The recruitment was carried out through the Rozgar Sangam portal in coordination with the National Skill Development Corporation and Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority. Selections were made for trades such as shuttering, carpentry, iron bending, tile masonry and plaster masonry, with candidates drawn from multiple districts.

Many workers say the prolonged delay has left them jobless and under financial stress, as several had resigned from local employment in anticipation of overseas work. Some alleged that private agencies are sending labourers to Israel by charging hefty amounts, though no official action has been announced.

Responding to the issue, Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Minister Kapil Dev Agarwal said the government is holding discussions and that the remaining workers would be deployed after another round of training, adding that around 8,000 workers have already been sent to Israel and the rest would be dispatched in phases.