A vocational training program has started in Herat to support child laborers. The program, supported by international organizations, will serve at least 1,600 students, including boys and girls, officials said.

Officials of the program added they pay 70 dollars to each family of the children so that they do not force them to work on the streets and instead let them study.

“Here we have around seven vocations, four of which are for men and three for women. The professions which are for women are advanced tailoring, carpet weaving and handicrafts, and the professions that are for men are industrial electricity, mobile repair, LCD repair and advanced carpentry,” said Feriadon Rahmanyar, in charge of the vocational training program.

According to officials, this program is funded by UNICEF, Save the Children, the World Food Program, the European Union and by a German aid organization.

“I am so happy that they provided me with a vocation, now my family and I are relaxed,” said Mahmood, a child laborer.

“I want to continue my education and have better income in the future,” Ahmad Faizian, a child laborer told TOLOnews.

The organizers of the program stated that this vocational program is 6 months long.

Based on statistics of the Department of Labor and Social Affairs of Herat, compared to the last two years, the number of child labor has increased 30 percent in this province.

“Two years ago, the number of child laborers was 9,000, but now it may be up to 15,000,” said Mirza Mohammad Abumansour, director of the Department of Labor and Social Affairs of Herat.

Earlier, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said it considered Afghanistan a dangerous place for children.

According to UNICEF, the economic crisis, hunger and poverty directly threatens children’s lives.