Afghanistan plans overseas job deals as unemployment surges
Afghanistan eyes overseas job deals with Qatar, UAE, and Russia as unemployment leaves 1.5 million workers without jobs
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — As Afghanistan grapples with a steep rise in joblessness, the head of the country’s National Workers’ Union has warned that more than 1.5 million Afghans are currently unemployed.
To address the crisis, authorities are working on agreements with several countries to send Afghan workers abroad and simplify the issuance of work visas, according to Abdul Mateen Maulawizada, head of the National Workers’ Union.
“This is a serious challenge,” Maulawizada told TOLOnews, noting that efforts are underway with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the International Labor Organization (ILO) to boost private sector participation and facilitate legal migration for employment.
He said a new program will be tailored to the labor demands of foreign countries. Afghan workers will be screened based on skill levels and deployed accordingly.
Talks are reportedly in advanced stages with Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia — with expectations that large numbers of skilled Afghan workers could be employed abroad through official channels.
“Many workers currently endure harsh conditions to reach foreign jobs,” Maulawizada said. “There needs to be a formal system that ensures they receive proper work visas and can travel legally.”
On the ground, workers say domestic job opportunities remain scarce. In Ghazni province, daily laborers say they wait for weeks at roadside hubs without finding employment.
“We’ve been waiting here for almost two months,” said Mohammad Jan, a laborer in Ghazni. “About 200 of us come every day, but there’s no work. On a good day, we earn 100 afghanis ($1.15).”
Another worker, Noroz Ali, said most available jobs are seasonal and offer minimal pay. “There are no ongoing development projects or functioning institutions. Agriculture doesn’t provide sustainable income. People are struggling.”
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs earlier announced that Qatar and other countries had shown willingness to create legal work channels for Afghan nationals. Once draft agreements are finalized, more workers are expected to find jobs abroad through official mechanisms.
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