Migration outside Afghanistan rises by 5 percent

KABUL: (MEP) – The migration of Afghans outside the country has dramatically increased amid uncertainty, poverty and lack of security in the country.

The United Nations International Labor Organization in its latest report has revealed that 5 percent of 5.7 million Afghans, who had repatriated to Afghanistan since 2002, have migrated outside Afghanistan.

UN-ILO in its report described the main motive behind the migration of Afghans outside the country, as lack of employment opportunities.

Deputy minister of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs & Disabled, Dr. Hasanuddin Hamrah told reporters in capital Kabul on Tuesday that poverty was one of the main factors which has a direct impact on the security and economy of the country.

Dr. Hamrah insisted that migration of Afghans outside the country could be prevented by providing employment opportunities, khaama press reported.

In the meantime, Hideki Takahashi, head of the United Nations International Labor Organization (UN-ILO) in Afghanistan said, only 26 percent of the Afghans who have repatriated to Afghanistan, have access to labor market.

Takashi said that the labor situation peaceful provinces were satisfactory, since they have access to labor market and can be employed on daily wage; however the situation is different in restive provinces.

In the meantime, head of the labors association, Maruf Qaderi said the report of UN-ILO is based on interviews conducted in peaceful provinces; therefore the report does not represent the situation labor situation across the country.

Mr. Qaderi suggested that an overall survey should be conducted in various provinces of Afghanistan, in a bid to prepare a proper report regarding the labours across the country.

Qaderi also criticized the concerned government institutions for their activities to provide shelter for the refugees who are repatriating to Afghanistan, and said that the repatriated refugees have not been provided with proper shelter despite millions have been spent on such programs.

However, Omar Kalim Marufi, head of coordination committee in the ministry of refugees and repatriations of Afghanistan said that the government of Afghanistan is able to construct shelters for the Afghans who repatriating to Afghanistan, and they are working closely with the other ministries in this regard.