Labor unrest grows amid Israel-Hamas conflict
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas is causing major disruptions to labor markets and workforce solutions companies operating in the region.
With the Israeli government revoking work permits for around 4,500 Palestinian workers, and 360,000 reservists called up, workforce gaps are appearing across sectors.
The high-tech industry, accounting for 14% of jobs and a fifth of Israel’s gross domestic product (GDP), faces severe impacts. Companies reliant on this talent pool are scrambling to adapt.
CWS Israel, an employer of record firm with over 8,500 employees in Israel, has seen a substantial portion of its workforce called up. CEO Raz Chorev highlighted the challenges, stating “We’ve got joint responsibility for the welfare of our employees.”
Other global staffing leaders like ManpowerGroup, with six decades of Israeli operations, are focused on employee safety amidst the conflict.
Prominent online talent platforms Fiverr and Upwork, which enable remote work, also aim to support affected freelancers.
As fighting continues, analysts expect further economic and operational struggles. For now, businesses must remain nimble and prioritize their people as the region copes with this protracted crisis.
