As the Israel-Iran conflict drags on, a typically overlooked workforce has suddenly entered the public eye: Chinese construction laborers in Israel. Despite its image as a high-tech nation, Israel relies heavily on foreign manual labor—especially in construction. Chinese workers, in particular, dominate skilled trades like tiling, carpentry, welding, and electrical work, owing to China’s large pool of experienced, low-cost, and highly disciplined labor.
In the last week of June, Chinese social media was inundated with unverified posts claiming that Israelis refused to let Chinese workers into bomb shelters. Though many of these claims seem to be faked by Chinese livestreamers who want attantion, they triggered a wave of national concern over the safety and treatment of Chinese workers amid escalating violence.
As public attention surged, mainstream Chinese media adopted a nationalist tone, casting these workers as steadfast heros who remain at their posts despite the danger—diligently striving in a foreign land. But beneath the patriotic narrative, smaller independent outlets and self-media began exposing a darker reality—one marked by systemic exploitation, dangerous working conditions, and murky labor brokerage networks that charge exorbitant fees with little accountability or protection.
One such report comes from “深耕纪 (Deep Plow Chronicles),” a WeChat account known for in-depth commentary.
Below is a summary of what this piece reveals about the situation on the ground:
Why Don’t They Leave?
Despite the danger, most Chinese workers choose to stay. Several key barriers make returning home extremely difficult:
- Soaring airfare costs
- Long-term labor contracts with harsh exit conditions
- Heavy upfront fees paid to shady labor agents—often tens or hundreds of thousands of yuan
Many workers borrowed money or sold assets just to secure these jobs. Leaving before recouping that “investment” can mean financial ruin.
Who Are These Workers?
Chinese laborers in Israel fall into three main categories:
- Government-dispatched workers under a bilateral agreement. These jobs offer the most transparent process, lowest fees (around 7,000 rmb, which is around $1000) and better oversight. But they require passing skills tests, random lotteries, and long wait times. Only a few thousand spots are available each year.
- State-owned enterprise (SOE) workers, hired by China’s top construction companies operating in Israel. The process is faster but involves higher fees and lower pay than human labor contractors.
- Private labor agency workers, hired via Israeli staffing firms and Chinese intermediaries. These jobs offer the highest wages—but also the least protection, highest fees, and most exploitative conditions. Some workers paid 100,000 rmb – 200,000 rmb to secure these placements. ($14,000-28,000)
Exploitation and Abuse
Even once in Israel, many Chinese workers face conditions that fall far short of what Israeli labor law guarantees. According to the law, workers are entitled to 125% of their base pay for the first two hours of overtime, and 150% thereafter. On rest days, pay should rise to 150% for regular hours, 175% for the first two overtime hours, and 200% beyond that.
But according to Chinese workers, this legal framework is largely irrelevant in practice. Most report working 11–12 hours per day, seven days a week, with no overtime pay and no explanation. Some say they’re paid in cash, under informal or dual contracts designed to sidestep labor protections.
These exploitative conditions are often enforced through intimidation, passport confiscation, and mandatory security deposits, making it nearly impossible for workers to push back or leave.
