KABUL (TOLONews): The acting minister of labor and social affairs criticized the activities of certain tourism companies that facilitate visas for neighboring countries for Afghan youth.
Abdul Manan Omari said that these companies exploit the needs of young people, subjecting them to numerous challenges and, in effect, aiding in human trafficking.
He also criticized the forcible deportation of Afghan refugees by neighboring countries and urged those young Afghans who live normal lives in the country not to fall for the tricks of such companies.
The acting minister, Abdul Manan Omari, said: “On one hand, they call themselves tourism companies, but on the other, they are human traffickers who simply hang a tourism sign over their shop.
Go ask them how many people they have sent on tourist visas and how many of them have returned? Also, is Afghanistan’s economy really so good that so many young people have jobs and just want to go abroad for one or two months of tourism? No rational mind can accept that.”
Omari emphasized that the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is working to create appropriate job opportunities for young people both inside and outside the country.
According to him, talks are currently underway with Qatar to facilitate the legal employment of Afghan youth in that country.
“We are currently in preliminary discussions with Qatar. They are offering a salary of $350 excluding travel, accommodation, and healthcare expenses, but we insist that the amount must be increased,” he added.
He also criticized some companies and factories for neglecting workers’ rights by assigning excessive workloads with low wages and still not securing any labor rights for them.
He called on company and factory managers to respect the rights of workers.
