Salam Watandar’s findings show that job insecurity is a major challenge for young people working in NGOs in Afghanistan. The study interviewed 25 young employees, 14 women and 11 men, across 10 provinces. All of them work on contracts, and none feel their jobs are secure.
Kobra Hashemi, 30-years-old and from Herat who is a finance officer in an educational institutions. She said that, since contracts are temporary and organizations rely on limited funds, people were quite worried about job security in contract work.
She considers only about 40% of her job is secure. She explained, “I don’t have a permanent contract, and even small changes in the organization’s budget or management can risk my job. I support my household and three children, so I often work beyond my capacity. It makes me very tired and sometimes discouraged.”
Hamida, a 24-year-old nurse in Herat, said, “I will complete one year soon, and I worry my contract may not be renewed. This worry grows as the end approaches. To keep my job, I work extra. Fixed income plus insecurity makes me anxious about my future.’ Job opportunities are limited and competitive.”
The report also found that temporary projects, tasks beyond job descriptions, sudden salary changes, and payment delays all increase job insecurity.
Sabita, 38-years-old resident of Kapisa, said salary delays are a major problem. She explained, “Before, we had several projects a year, but now we get only one. Sometimes months pass without a call. Even before a project ends, they don’t pay us until our work is checked.”
Ahmad, 26-years-old also resident of Kapisa, said, “I have a one-year contract. For six months, our income was stable, but now it has decreased. Sometimes they pay one month and skip the next two. Salary cuts make me worry more about my future and job security.”
Many young employees said job insecurity affects their mental health and motivation.
Shiraz, a 25-years-old employee from Kunduz, said, “My job is contractual, and I feel my job is 60% insecure. As my contract nears its end, fear grows. I am the only breadwinner for my family, and this affects my focus and well-being.”
Some legal experts warn that the ongoing challenges between employers and workers needs serious attention, saying the government must step in to ensure the laws are enforced fairly for everyone.
Khadija Hakimi, a legal expert, highlights a flaw in the labor law: while an employee’s pay is cut for a single day of absence, there’s no penalty for employers who delay salary payments. How much an employee works without pay, or extra hours, isn’t taken into account.
Parwiz Khalili, another legal expert, says monitoring in Afghanistan is irregular and weak, giving employers too much freedom. He stresses that laws, Sharia, and international standards require respect for workers’ dignity and rights, and calls on the government to strengthen oversight and promote peaceful relations between workers and employers through media, schools, and mosques.
Officials at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs say inspectors in different areas are working to ensure safe workplaces and provide essential support to workers amid ongoing labor challenges.
Samiullah Ibrahimi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, says the ministry and its inspectors are working to improve coordination between workers and employers, ensure workers’ rights, provide guidance to employers, and guarantee safe workplaces, fair wages, benefits, and health and safety for all.
Meanwhile, according to UN OCHA reports over 240 humanitarian projects stopped in Afghanistan in 2025, increasing unemployment among young people.
Reporter: Hosai Afghan
