International Workers' Day Marked in Kabul with Calls for Labor Protections and Economic Support

Government officials and labor representatives gathered in Kabul to commemorate International Workers' Day, using the occasion to discuss labor rights, economic conditions, and employment initiatives. The event brought together senior figures from the Islamic Emirate’s administration alongside union leadership to address the current state of Afghanistan’s workforce.

Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund issued a message for the occasion, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to securing workers’ rights as a matter of official policy within Islamic principles. Labor Minister Mullah Abdul Manan Omari highlighted ongoing government efforts to expand job opportunities and improve working conditions across the country.

Union head Abdul Matin Maulawizada outlined persistent challenges facing Afghan laborers, including low wages, inadequate job security, and difficult working environments. He formally requested the restitution of previously confiscated union properties. During the gathering, private sector employees shared accounts of working 17 to 18 hours daily for minimal compensation, citing limited employment alternatives.

Economic officials presented data on recent financial trends. Deputy Economy Minister Dr. Abdul Latif Nazari stated that gross domestic product has expanded while inflation has declined, pointing to new programs designed to support the labor force. ToloNews reported that the commemoration was held four days after the official date and cited specific figures indicating a 5 percent economic growth rate and a 2 percent inflation rate for the previous year, while Bakhtar News focused on broader economic improvements without providing exact statistics.

The gathering concluded with mutual acknowledgments of the need to balance economic development with the protection of workers’ livelihoods under the current administration’s framework.