Despite the many reports about underage child laborers in the capital; the number of children who are engaged in hard labor and begging in parts of Kabul continues to increase.

Some residents of the capital called on the current government to collect these children and help their families financially.

“Instead of decreasing, the number of working children has increased, and the main reason is poverty and homelessness,” said Rahmat Gul, a Kabul resident.

“Children that are under the age of 15 don’t have the right to work, it means they shouldn't work,” said Faizullah, a Kabul resident.

Several children said that poverty is the reason that they must work.

“Sometimes when there is no work, we beg and receive 10 to 20 afghani and sometimes work and find 50 and 60 afghani,” said Hasib, a child laborer.

Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Labor, in the past two years, they have collected more than 5,000 child laborers from Kabul.

“Around 2,000 children have been identified as deserving of assistance and have been assisted, and they are still given 2,000 afghani a month,” said Sharfuddin Sharf, head of the Office of Labor, Social Affairs.

The Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs added that in order to take care of orphaned and destitute children, they are cooperating with various organizations, including UNICEF, for the establishment of educational and professional centers.