Twelve Malawians were deported from Israel after leaving the farms where they worked, seeking higher wages elsewhere.
The 12 Malawians were among more than 40 foreign workers arrested while working in a bakery in Tel Aviv last week.
The workers, who were part of a labor agreement between Israel and Malawi, were not satisfied with working conditions in the agricultural sector and found work in a bakery instead.
Israel’s ambassador to Malawi, Michael Lotem, told the BBC: “Anyone who violates the terms of their visa will be deported – as easily as in any other country.”
“I hope this is a signal to others that it is better to keep working. No one forced them to come, they came to do a job, they have to do the job, and that’s it,” he added.
Last week, Benzani, a Malawian working in Israel, told the BBC that some of his compatriots who work on other farms are paid less than the minimum wage in Israel.
“The minimum wage in Israel is 32 shekels ($8.60, £6.85) per hour, but some of us are paid between 18 and 20 shekels per hour.”
Benzani said that many of them signed contracts stating that they would receive $1,500 per month.
Benzani is not among those deported.
Instead of leaving the farms and breaching the terms of their visas, they should have lodged a complaint, Mr Lotem said.
“If someone thinks they are not getting what they deserve, there is a hotline and a phone number they can call. Violating the law is not the answer. The Israeli police show no tolerance for illegal activities, especially in these days when we face It has a lot of other problems.” BBC
