A number of major companies and organizations in Israel have made requests to the government to be able to bring in and hire electronic engineers from India to make up the shortfall in trained local staff. Israel is experiencing a shortage of staff which is not expected to be filled until new graduates, who are now entering the higher-education system in larger numbers than in previous years graduate in three years time. This year, 3000 students will enter engineering courses which is double the number of graduating students this year. Israel’s 14,000 electronic engineers earn an average income of $3,000 per month compared to $200-$300 per month that their Indian counterparts earn. The government has not yet made a decision on the issue. The influx of foreign workers is a difficult issue politically in Israel where there is growing concern about local unemployment, although most foreign workers are employed in low-skill jobs.
