An Overview of the Efforts of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan’s Labor Market and Reducing Unemployment
By Qais Ahmad
Introduction
As a responsible and governing system, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is making serious efforts, within its available resources and full capacity, to reduce the unemployment rate in the country. To achieve this goal, it has taken all essential measures that play a fundamental role in reducing unemployment and creating job opportunities.
Some of the most important steps include ensuring nationwide security, eliminating corruption, facilitating investment across various sectors, expanding industry and trade, developing infrastructure, and initiating large-scale economic projects.
With the implementation of practical measures in the mentioned sectors, the labor market in the country has significantly improved compared to the past. This article provides a brief discussion on these developments.
Afghanistan’s Labor Market
With the Islamic Emirate’s rise to power, nationwide security has been ensured, and corruption has been eradicated. According to labor principles, security and corruption are two key factors that directly affect the labor market. Fortunately, Afghanistan’s labor market is now secure and free from any form of corruption. Workers and skilled professionals across the country can perform their duties with peace of mind. The Islamic Emirate has taken serious measures in the fight against corruption.
Additionally, the Islamic Emirate has created favorable investment opportunities in various sectors nationwide. Domestic and foreign investors can take advantage of business-friendly regulations, a secure investment environment, and low taxes to invest in industries such as manufacturing, trade, agriculture, transportation, healthcare, e-governance, infrastructure, and other key economic sectors. The Islamic Emirate has opened the doors for all investors and assures full cooperation.
Afghanistan is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of extensive and valuable mineral resources. A significant portion of these natural reserves remains unexplored. This presents an excellent opportunity for both domestic and foreign investors to invest in the mining and extraction of these resources.
Geographically, Afghanistan is positioned between Central and South Asia. By leveraging this location, it can play a crucial role in connecting these regions, facilitating trade expansion and increasing transit through Afghan territory. Moreover, Afghanistan is actively involved in major regional economic projects, for which a highly favorable environment has now been established. Presently, Afghanistan is governed by an Islamic and independent system that makes sovereign decisions while upholding religious values and national interests.
Furthermore, the Islamic Emirate has developed appropriate labor laws and policies that safeguard workers' rights and benefits. Afghanistan has a vast labor force, where workers play a crucial role in the production process. The country possesses an adequate workforce capable of boosting corporate revenues. Additionally, structured short-term, mid-term, and long-term training programs are being implemented to enhance workforce skills.
Considering these opportunities, it can be stated that Afghanistan’s labor market is currently in one of its best conditions.
Efforts of the Islamic Emirate in Reducing Unemployment
Unemployment is a global issue affecting all countries, and it is the responsibility of governments to take action to address it. Afghanistan is no exception. Recognizing this challenge, the Islamic Emirate has implemented fundamental measures over the past three years to reduce unemployment. Some of the key initiatives include:
A Secure and Expansive Investment Environment
The Islamic Emirate has established the most favorable conditions for investment, including low taxes, an affordable and competitive market, clear investment guidelines, the elimination of bureaucratic obstacles in government institutions, and various other facilitation measures. As a result, domestic and foreign investors now have opportunities to invest in sectors such as mining, transportation, agriculture, telecommunications, e-governance, healthcare, infrastructure, industry, and trade.
Over the past three years, both domestic and foreign companies have invested in these sectors. Notable examples include: four iron ore blocks in Ghorian district, Herat province, three lead and zinc blocks in Tulak district, Ghor province, the third lead and zinc block in Shahrak district, Ghor province, gold mines in Takhar province, the iron ore mine in Pashtun Zarghun district, Herat province, the ruby mine in Jagdalak, Kabul province, the cement projects in Zinda Jan district, Herat province; Shurandam district, Kandahar province; and Jabal Saraj district, Parwan province, and the Qara Zaghan gold mine in Doshi district, Baghlan province. These large-scale mining projects alone have attracted an investment of 414 billion Afghanis. Additionally, investment has been made in the extraction of petroleum from the Amu Darya oil basin, the Tuti Maidan gas field in Faryab province, coal mining, and various other small- and medium-scale mineral projects across the country.
Through these large- and small-scale mining initiatives, tens of thousands of Afghans have gained employment, enabling them to meet their daily living expenses through wages earned from their work.
Reconstruction and Development of Infrastructure
To strengthen Afghanistan’s economic growth and reduce unemployment, the Islamic Emirate has prioritized infrastructure reconstruction and development. Over the past three years, large-scale infrastructure projects have been initiated across the country. Notable examples include: the construction and renovation of major highways such as Kabul–Kandahar, Salang, Herat–Ghor, Kandahar–Uruzgan, Kabul–Jalalabad second road, and the second lane of Kabul–Ghazni road, the construction and rehabilitation of roads connecting remote districts and areas in various provinces, the completion and operationalization of major dam projects, including Kajaki, Kamal Khan, Bakhshabad, Pashdan, Omari, Shah Wa Arus, Chak Wardak, Paranda Panjshir, and Palatuni; the restoration of key state-owned enterprises, the reconstruction of airports, and the activation of hundreds of manufacturing factories by the private sector with the support of the Islamic Emirate.
These infrastructure projects have created tens of thousands of new job opportunities across the country.
Expansion of Trade
The Islamic Emirate has paid special attention to expanding trade to boost economic growth and create employment opportunities. To facilitate this, additional taxes on traders and small businesses have been eliminated, and fixed tax rates have been significantly reduced. Key trade-related measures include: the establishment of dedicated export zones, ongoing efforts to develop industrial parks in all provinces, the introduction of major facilities at commercial border crossings, strengthening bilateral trade relations with regional and international countries, securing preferential tariffs for Afghan exports from various countries, and effective domestic and international marketing of Afghan products, leading to a significant increase in trade volume.
With the expansion of commercial activities, thousands of new jobs have been created both directly and indirectly. Additionally, the structure of government institutions has expanded, providing more employment opportunities for Afghan citizens.
Conclusion
The Islamic Emirate has taken firm and strategic steps to promote economic growth and create employment opportunities. As a result, unprecedented investment opportunities have been introduced, attracting both domestic and foreign investments worth hundreds of billions of Afghanis. Additionally, large-scale infrastructure projects have been launched to drive economic growth and employment generation. Special attention has also been given to trade, significantly boosting business activities compared to previous years.
Overall, the Islamic Emirate has made considerable efforts to reduce unemployment, creating numerous job opportunities for Afghan citizens and improving their standard of living.