KABUL - The All Afghanistan Federation of Trade Union (AAFTU) head on Sunday said that labour rights are trampled on in Afghanistan, asking government and international organisations to pay attention to workers’ welfare.
On International Labor’s Day, AAFTU chief, Dr. Liaqat Adel, in an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, noted a sharp rise illegal immigration as result of growing unemployment in the country.
Around 300,000 Afghans have migrated to Europe due to poverty and joblessness last year, he pointed out. Illegal travel broad was full of risk as dozens of migrants including Afghans lose their lives each month.
However, Adel supported the Afghan youth who travel abroad for getting higher education and returning to their country after studies. “Youths are a great asset to any country and the government should utilise their abilities,” Adil observed.
Penury, joblessness, low salaries and discrimination were in full swing, he alleged, urging adherence to the international conventions on labour rights. He blamed the government for failing to implement the conventions it has signed.
Poverty and unemployment were increasing with each passing day, Adel said, adding the economic situation of the country was worsening as investors were withdrawing their capital.
Adil asked the rulers to provide job opportunities for the Afghans so they were not forced to take risks of travel abroad illegally in quest of work. Many illegal immigrants die or are detained on reaching their dreamlands.
Currently, 51,000 posts are vacant due to corruption and the poor performance of the government, while tens of thousands of Afghans are jobless, according to the labour rights activist.
Afghanistan had a 12 million-strong workforce, with 65 percent (around 7 million) jobless, Adil explained. Around three million people -- most of them youth -- were addicted to drugs, he regretted.
The government was guilty of nepotism and discrimination against the ordinary people in the process of recruitment, a problem that must be resolved, he stressed, calling for transparency in employment. (Pajhwok)