Many new jobs in the Balkans/ Europe will not necessarily be of the cannon-fodder variety , linked with the ebb and flow of ongoing military conflicts in turbulent regions. Experts see this as a complex unorthodox trend, a fallout from the present worldwide turmoil.

There are reports that Israel plans to recruit thousands of jobless youths for training and subsequent service in various capacities in the violence-ridden war -torn zones of West Asia. Mainstream Indian media accounts talk of new jobs for thousands of jobless youths from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other states. Punjab can be hardly far behind, in view of the natural propensity of its local officials /private sector operators to send off as many people on overseas assignments as possible.

According to preliminary reports, Israeli authorities are about to put together a new , young 30,000-strong (unconfirmed estimate) force to handle various war-related high-risk assignments — in West Asia. Several factors have forced them to look well beyond their borders, when it comes to recruiting fresh blood to sustain their anti-Hamas — and by extension, anti-Iran — operations.

First, the war against the Hamas has been more prolonged, belying earlier Western expectations. This has led to a tactical rethink on part of Israel and the West. With Israel’s relatively smaller population, the higher than normally accepted levels of casualties too, has raised the spectre of severe manpower problems in the none-too-distant future.

Second, the bleeding of the Israeli army and continuing expenditure of a major part of its resources in the war effort is poised to rise increase in the medium term: There are no signs of any truce/cease fire despite recent diplomatic efforts. Instead there is an increasing involvement in present confrontations of major powers like the US, Iran and its proxies and the UK in West Asia, well beyond Gaza strip or Israel.

With no western power showing any keenness to plunge their troops directly into an already raging conflict, Israel has no choice but to rely on foreign recruits to sustain its war efforts.

The first impact of the present situation on the depressed job market in South Asian countries, dominated by crippling unemployment levels, has been felt in Nepal and to a lesser extent, in Bangladesh and India.

To take the case of Nepal: Despite repeated requests/appeals to Russia, jobless Nepali Gurkhas continue to join Russian forces fighting in Ukraine. A few have been fighting for Ukraine as well as confirmed by recent POW exchanges. Exact official estimates about actual Nepalese casualties are difficult to obtain. There are fears that over 400/500 (unconfirmed) youths are already engaged in the hostilities.

So far the death of at least 12 persons have been officially confirmed in Kathmandu. However, unofficial estimates put the figure at 20 or more and the toll is likely to increase. Naturally Nepali opposition parties and opinion makers feel concerned about the matter.

Worse, the number of wounded Nepali recruits, (not necessarily fatalities) also causes worries. There are Nepali prisoners on both sides. What will happen to them? What kind of medical and other institutional/governmental help can they expect? Will Russia, Ukraine or the UN take any responsibility?

So far Nepalese authorities have strongly campaigned to halt the recruitment of its youths for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, without noticeable success. As already stated, repeated appeals to Russia, Ukraine and international agencies have not resulted in effective action .

Observers worry, if Israeli and private Western agencies now look to induce young Nepali soldiers to engage in the West Asian conflict, offering lucrative pay and better security coverage for concerned families, what will be the response within Nepal ?

The question applies to India as well. Not surprisingly, Nepalese authorities have just arrested around 12 local recruiting agents, allegedly involved in the illegal export of manpower Ukraine-wards. However, many operators are absconding. Authorities face problems in identifying people actually recruited because most a use the UAE/India route to reach Eastern European destinations. The actual purpose of their trips is hardly mentioned. Shady operators allegedly charge at least 700,000 rupiya (Nepal) or more from the families of youths going out, according to reports! While such steps may slow down the pace of illegal recruitments, no one really hopes that the illegal trafficking will stop.

There is some good news as well especially for Nepal. Croatia, facing a major shortage of workers, has just announced plans to take on board over 20,000 job seekers from Nepal. In this instance, the job prospects are far more positive and risk-free. At Dubrovnik and other centres, the Croatian government has just prepared a convenient tri-lingual dictionary/ handbook in English/ Nepali/ Croatian, to help new comers. Clearly, people accepting such work will be busy in peacetime assignments, enjoying total security.

Germany has indicated that it would need workers from abroad to fill large numbers of existing vacancies. Kolkata-based German diplomats confirmed that they were looking to recruit people from West Bengal and other Eastern states. German manufacturing industries have faced problems of a decline in production in recent times in the wake of the Ukraine war. Unlike other advanced countries reporting nominal GDP growth during the last couple of years, the strong German economy has reported a decline, which may continue.

As for Bangladesh, there has been no slowdown in jobless youths emigrating in large numbers to look for work and income, risk or no risk. As with youths in Pakistan and parts of Punjab, Bangladeshi youths had joined the late Osama Bin laden-led bunch of Mujahideens during the Russian occupation of Afghanistan! Media reports suggest that over 76,00,000 Bangladeshis presently work and send remittances from , abroad, bolstering their national economy. Unofficial accounts claim that actual figures are higher. (IPA Service)