Plans Underway to Send Afghan Workers Abroad Amid Rising Unemployment

Abdul Mateen Maulawizada, the head of Afghanistan’s National Workers’ Union, stated that currently, due to the sharp rise in unemployment, about 1.5 million workers in the country are without jobs.

In an effort to reduce unemployment, agreements will be made with several countries to send Afghan workers abroad, and measures will be taken to facilitate the issuance of work visas, he said.

Maulawizada described the rise in unemployment as a serious challenge and said that joint efforts have begun with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the International Labor Organization (ILO) to increase Afghan workers’ participation in the private sector and to create facilities for issuing work visas.

Speaking the head of the National Workers’ Union said: “A program will be developed based on the needs of countries requiring workers. Workers’ skills will be assessed, and they will be sent accordingly.”

He further mentioned that negotiations are nearing finalization with countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia. Under these agreements, a large number of skilled and professional Afghan workers are expected to be sent abroad in the near future.

Mullahwizada added: “Currently, workers travel to some countries under very harsh conditions. Instead, an official process should be established where they are provided with work visas, allowing them to travel legally.”

Meanwhile, several workers have called on the caretaker government to create employment opportunities inside the country.

Mohammad Jan, a worker from Ghazni, told “We have been waiting along the roadside for almost two months hoping for work. Around 200 workers gather here daily, but there is no work, and they barely earn 100 afghani per day.”

Noroz Ali, another worker from Ghazni, said: “Currently, there are no projects or active institutions. The few agricultural jobs available offer very low income. There are no sustainable opportunities that could improve people’s livelihoods.”

Previously, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs announced that to address unemployment, countries like Qatar had facilitated legal pathways for Afghan workers. Once the draft agreements are approved, many Afghan workers will have the opportunity to work abroad.
The Ministry also reported that last year, over 114,000 work permits were issued to Afghans and foreigners.