Many children who are the breadwinners for their families are engaged in hazardous work in the province of Logar.

Many of these children lost their fathers during the conflict over the last two decades.  

The income that these children make from hazardous jobs in automobile mechanic shops is not sufficient to meet the expenses of the family.  

Logar was among the most insecure provinces during the time of the former government of President Ashraf Ghani.  

“I am an orphan. I work in this workshop. They are paying me 100-150 Afs in tips. With that money, I buy something for the family,” said Hameed Irfan, an orphan.  

These children have no time to attend school. 

“I want to go to school but my family has no breadwinner. So I work here. I receive 200 Afs per week but it is not sufficient,” said Rafiullah, an orphan.  

Some of the children working at these workshops are not orphans but are forced to engage in child labor due to severe poverty.  

“I work here. I am being paid 150 Afs per week. My ambition is to go to school,” said Irfan, a child.  

“I give these children 100-150 Afs (per week) but it is not sufficient,” said an owner of the workshop.  

The local officials said that plans are underway to address the problems of the children who suffer from poverty.  

“The Islamic Emirate intends to provide educational opportunities for them…the children are working due to poverty,” said Inamullah, deputy governor of Logar.  

According to the provincial Public Works department, around 1,200 children are engaged in child labor.  

Earlier, Save the Children said that one in five families in Afghanistan have been forced to send their children for work as the country is facing an unprecedented economic meltdown.