The Deputy Minister of Labor Affairs meets with the Deputy Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Deputy Minister of Labor Affairs, Alhaj Mawlavi Mohammad Zahid Ahmadzai, met in his office with the Deputy Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Sayed Malek Hosseini, along with his accompanying delegation. Alhaj Mawlavi Mohammad Zahid Ahmadzai welcomed the Deputy Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare of the Islamic Republic of Iran and his delegation, as well as the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Kabul, Mr. Mohammad Reza Beikdeli.
During the meeting, both sides discussed expanding technical and vocational training in Afghanistan and improving the regulation of sending skilled and semi-skilled Afghan workers to the Islamic Republic of Iran. They also exchanged views on sharing scientific and practical work experiences, along with other important related issues.
The Islamic Republic of Iran should facilitate the issuance of legal work permits for undocumented Afghan workers residing in Iran and emphasize expanding technical and vocational training programs in Afghanistan in both quantitative and qualitative terms. In addition, the importance of launching joint technical and vocational training programs through bilateral coordination and sharing Iran’s successful experiences in technical and vocational education and the labor market was highlighted. These remarks were stated by the Deputy Minister of Labor Affairs, Alhaj Mawlavi Mohammad Zahid Ahmadzai, at the beginning of the meeting.
The Deputy Minister of Labor Affairs further added that unemployment is currently one of the biggest challenges in Afghanistan, and the cooperation and experiences of a neighboring country are necessary and effective to address this issue.
The Islamic Republic of Iran expressed its full readiness to cooperate comprehensively with the neighboring and brotherly country of Afghanistan in the legal regulation of workers and the exchange of skilled and professional labor. This cooperation also includes the implementation of short-term and long-term technical and vocational training programs in various sectors, as well as the sharing of work-related experiences. The Deputy Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare of the Islamic Republic of Iran stated these remarks in the meeting.
Greater attention would be given to the Basir Vocational Training Center, and undocumented migrants residing in Iran would be provided with legal identity documents. In addition, measures would be taken to prevent the illegal entry of workers into the Islamic Republic of Iran in order to create conditions for their legal deployment. Mr. Sayed Malek Hosseini further added these remarks with the participants of the meeting.
Mr. Sayed Malek pledged that by resolving the aforementioned issues, the Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to issue up to 200,000 work visas annually for Afghan citizens.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to establish a joint working committee to undertake necessary actions regarding issues such as employment opportunities, identification of labor market needs in both countries, development of technical and vocational training, migrant affairs, and other related matters. The committee will follow up on the discussed topics and pave the way for the signing of agreements during the upcoming visit of Alhaj Mullah Abdul Manan Omari, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, and his accompanying delegation to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
