A recruitment drive to send nursing graduates from Chhattisgarh to Israel as Home-Based Caregivers has come under official scrutiny after the Raj Bhavan took cognisance of complaints alleging that professionally qualified nurses are being recruited for jobs involving domestic work in a country facing an armed conflict.
Following a representation by Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Medical Cell president Dr Rakesh Gupta, the Governor’s Secretariat forwarded the matter to the Department of Public Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education. The department has now directed the Commissioner of Medical Education to conduct a detailed inquiry and submit a report. The recruitment has also been opposed by the Chhattisgarh Nursing Association and members of the nursing fraternity.
RECRUITMENT UNDER INDIA-ISRAEL LABOUR AGREEMENT
The recruitment is part of a labour mobility agreement between India and Israel, under which India is expected to send between 50,000 and one lakh workers over the next five years to address manpower shortages in sectors including construction, hospitality and caregiving.
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship had asked states to identify candidates for 3,500 Home-Based Caregiver positions. Acting on the directive, the Chhattisgarh Nurses Registration Council issued a circular on June 11 inviting applications from GNM and BSc Nursing graduates.
The advertised positions offer salaries of up to Rs 2 lakh per month, besides free accommodation, meals and medical insurance.
NURSING ASSOCIATIONS QUESTION JOB PROFILE
The controversy stems from the job description. While the selected candidates would provide care to elderly or ill people in their homes, the recruitment notice also lists responsibilities such as preparing meals, cleaning the house, washing clothes and performing other duties assigned by the employer.
Nursing organisations argue that these responsibilities do not match the professional role of a registered nurse.
The Chhattisgarh Nursing Association has said that if the government wants to create overseas employment opportunities for nursing graduates, it should negotiate positions where they are recruited as nurses rather than caregivers performing domestic work.
Association General Secretary Amit Roy said nursing degrees are professional qualifications meant for clinical practice and should not be used for jobs involving household chores. Nursing professional Barkha Sahu also objected to the recruitment, saying assigning trained nurses to such roles undermines the dignity and professional identity of the profession.
SAFETY CONCERNS AND OFFICIAL I
Opponents have also raised concerns over sending healthcare workers to Israel amid the country’s ongoing security situation. They have sought clarity on worker safety, insurance, evacuation protocols and legal protection in case of any escalation in hostilities.
In his complaint, Dr Rakesh Gupta argued that nursing is a regulated healthcare profession dedicated to patient care and questioned whether qualified nursing graduates should be deployed to a conflict zone in roles extending beyond healthcare.
Following the complaint, the Health Department ordered a detailed enquiry through the Commissioner of Medical Education. The findings are expected to determine whether the recruitment process proceeds in its current form or undergoes changes.
Supporters of the programme, however, argue that it offers attractive overseas employment opportunities under a bilateral agreement, noting that thousands of Indians are already working in Israel in sectors such as construction, hospitality and caregiving.
The state health department did not issue an official response despite being approached for comment.
– Ends
Published By:
Priyanka Kumari
Published On:
Jul 15, 2026 20:52 IST
