Coinciding with June 12th, the World Day Against Child Labor, a number of children in the capital have told TOLOnews that due to economic challenges, they are forced to do hazardous work.
These children have asked the Islamic Emirate to support the families of working children and to provide suitable job opportunities for them.
Nawab, an eleven-year-old who is the sole breadwinner for his family of seven and also a fourth-grade student, said he is less able to focus on his studies.
Nawab told TOLOnews: "I am eleven years old. I am the only one in my family who works, and I bring food home at night. No one else in our house works."
"My request from the Islamic Emirate is to provide us with educational opportunities. We want to study and serve the country," said Zahir, another child laborer in Kabul.
The General Workers’ Union believe that the increase in child labor has negative effects on the country's economy, and the Islamic Emirate should coordinate with international organizations like the International Labour Organization to create educational opportunities for children.
Mohammad Liaqat Adel, President of the General Workers’ Union, added: "Many children, who are our future, are engaged in hard labor in brick kilns, agricultural sectors, and mines."
"Legally, humanely, and religiously, hard and intense labor has negative effects on a child's mental state and future," said Sayed Massoud, an economic analyst.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has pledged that it will prevent child labor and provide necessary assistance to them.
According to Samiullah Ebrahimi, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, educational centers for orphaned children have been established in the capital and provinces, and in addition to other aid, vocational training for children is also provided in these centers.
Samiullah Ebrahimi said: "The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has activated orphanages for these children in Kabul and the provinces so that they can be cared for and have access to education and upbringing, which is their basic right."
Coinciding with the World Day Against Child Labor, the United Nations has stated that around 160 million children worldwide are deprived of education and are engaged in labor.
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