KABUL (SW) – The Afghanistan Workers and Employees Union (AMKA) resumed its activities in Kabul on Sunday, March 24.
During a ceremony, the Deputy Minister for Labor and Social Affairs, Mohammad Zahed Ahmadzai, stated that the ministry will support workers’ rights in accordance with Afghanistan’s labor laws and address their issues.
He added: “Workers play an important role in the development of society, and their services must be valued. Legally, we must support them and address the issues faced by this union.”
At the same time, Abdul Matin Mawlawi Zada was officially introduced by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs as the acting head of the National Workers’ Union of Afghanistan.
Mawlawi Zada, the new head of the union, emphasized that he will pursue workers’ demands in a more organized manner, ensuring they align with labor laws in Afghanistan under the Islamic Emirate.
“We will work to provide employment opportunities for workers, protect their rights, and address their issues. We are committed to the implementation of labor laws in the country and will strive to ensure fairness between employers and workers,” he said.
Meanwhile, officials at the Ministry of Economy also highlighted unemployment as a significant challenge in Afghanistan. Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy, mentioned that the Islamic Emirate has plans to address unemployment in the country.
“Unemployment is a serious issue, and one of the Islamic Emirate’s plans is to address this problem and increase the purchasing power of families. We are seeking cooperation from international organizations in Afghanistan and want the International Labor Organization to help create job opportunities,” he said.
However, officials from Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Investment expressed concern over the shortage of skilled labor in various industrial and service sectors. Mohammad Yonus Momand, the Deputy of the Chamber, urged the National Workers’ Union of Afghanistan to take action in training technical workers.
He shared: “We face challenges with skilled workers, and we lack professional drivers in the transit sector. We have technology in hospitals but lack skilled professionals to operate it. Similarly, in factories, we have technology, and the lack of skilled staff is a major reason for unemployment. We need to coordinate efforts to address this issue.”
Tomas Stenstrom, the Director of the International Labor Organization (ILO) in Afghanistan, emphasized the importance of implementing conventions related to workers’ rights in the country.
“Conventions 87 and 98 ensure the elimination of forced labor and child labor, and guarantee the health and safety of workers. They also uphold human dignity globally. The union must work to implement these standards,” he said.
The activities of the National Workers’ Union of Afghanistan were temporarily halted during the Republic era due to internal conflicts within the union.
