The Chhattisgarh Congress has criticised the state government’s decision to publicise recruitment for nursing and caregiving jobs in Israel, alleging that the move is insensitive and risky at a time when the region is witnessing ongoing conflict.State Congress chief spokesperson Dhananjay Singh Thakur questioned the rationale behind facilitating the recruitment of 3,500 nursing and caregiving personnel for Israel when government hospitals in Chhattisgarh continue to face shortages of healthcare workers.Addressing the issue, Thakur asked whether government hospitals, district hospitals, primary health centres and community health centres in the state no longer required additional nursing staff. He questioned whether all healthcare institutions in Chhattisgarh had adequate manpower, prompting the government to encourage trained personnel to seek employment abroad.Thakur said the recruitment advertisement had been issued at a time when many Indians working and studying in West Asian countries were returning home due to security concerns arising from the ongoing conflict in the region. He alleged that the government’s move could expose nursing professionals to danger.“Unemployment in the state is so severe that trained nursing staff may feel compelled to accept overseas employment because of the attractive salary package. At a time when reports of missile attacks and security concerns are emerging from the region, the government must clarify who will guarantee the safety of these workers,” he said.Thakur urged the state government to immediately withdraw the recruitment advertisement and instead fill vacancies in government healthcare institutions across Chhattisgarh.The controversy stems from a recruitment drive being conducted under the India-Israel Framework Agreement through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). According to information released by district employment authorities, 3,500 vacancies are available in Israel for Home-Based Caregivers.Candidates between 25 and 45 years of age are eligible to apply. The minimum educational qualification is Class 10 pass, along with English studied at the intermediate level. Applicants must possess a passport with at least three years’ validity and fulfil prescribed physical and mental fitness criteria.Candidates with recognised caregiving certifications, including 990 hours of on-the-job training, and qualifications such as auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM), general nurse midwife (GNM), BSc nursing, physiotherapy, nurse assistant and related healthcare disciplines are eligible.Selected candidates will receive accommodation, food and medical insurance benefits. After deductions, the monthly salary is stated to be approximately Rs 1.99 lakh. The selection process includes online registration, document verification, medical examination, police clearance and a video interview conducted by Israeli employers.However, the opportunity also involves substantial upfront expenses. Applicants are required to bear costs related to registration, processing, medical examinations, police verification, insurance, visa formalities, video interviews and air travel, amounting to several lakh rupees over different stages of recruitment and employment. Employment officials have advised candidates to register through official channels and remain cautious of middlemen and fraudulent agents.A state government official confirmed that a pamphlet advertising the Israel recruitment drive has been circulated.