KABUL (SW) – As the deportation of Afghan migrants from various countries, especially Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey, has increased, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to create job opportunities for returnee migrants from other countries to Afghanistan.
A statement issued by the UNHCR reads: “The International Labour Organization and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees have signed an agreement to strengthen their cooperation and joint programs to support access to employment for returnees and their host communities through entrepreneurship, social enterprise development, skills training, and market access.”
This comes as a number of the returnee migrants to Afghanistan state that they are spending their days and nights in difficult economic conditions due to the lack of job opportunities and income.
Habib and Mushfiq, two such individuals who were deported from Pakistan at least five months ago and returned to Afghanistan, say that due to the lack of employment opportunities and income, they are living under harsh conditions.
These returnees add that if this situation continues, they will be forced to migrate again to countries like Iran and Pakistan.
Habib said: “The problems here are many; the little capital I had has been spent on family expenses, and we are living in a rented house. Our request from the government is to provide us with job opportunities.”
Mushfiq, also expressed: “If job opportunities are not provided to us, we will be forced to go to neighboring countries like Pakistan and Iran in search of work.”
On the other hand, Safiullah, another migrant who was recently deported from Iran and returned to Afghanistan, says that unemployment and the uncertain future due to the lack of income are major concerns for returnee migrants.
Safiullah, one of such returnees, said: “In Afghanistan, if there is work and a source of income, it is clear why we would migrate. We only expect to earn enough to feed ourselves and our families. If that’s the case, we won’t migrate.”
Meanwhile, the de-facto government has welcomed the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the ILO and UNHCR to create job opportunities for returnees, stating that the implementation of this initiative could have a fundamental impact on the country’s economy.
“Job creation for returnee migrants is an important and essential issue because it can have direct and indirect effects and contribute to economic growth. It will not only reduce unemployment but also help grow the country’s economy,” Abdul Rahman Habib, spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy of the Islamic Emirate, told Salam Watandar.
While host countries of Afghan migrants are looking to deport millions of Afghan migrants, the unemployment rate in Afghanistan is currently at an alarmingly high level due to the dire economic situation, and the deportation of migrants only exacerbates this concern.
