Mass exodus of youth from country called a huge loss

KABUL Federation of Trade Unions (AAFTU) head has voiced his grave concern over the mass exodus of youths, calling it a massive threat to the country’s future.

During an exclusive interview, Dr. Liaqat Aadel told Pajhwok Afghan News the departure of educated and uneducated Afghans from the country had increased due to lack of work opportunities.

Over the past few months, nearly 70,000 Afghans have left the country for Europe in search of jobs and comfortable life, he said, adding illegal travel to those countries was dangerous and claimed dozens of lives each month.

He appreciated the youth going to foreign countries for higher education. In the same breath, however, the unionist stressed their return to work for their motherland and contribute to its prosperity.

“Youth are a huge asset to any country. The government, therefore, should give themjobs inside the country,” Dr. Aadel stressed. The youth voting with their feet was a big loss for the country, he maintained.

The AAFTU chief asked the government and the private sector to provide employment opportunities for the youngsters to prevent them from leaving the country in droves. 

According to Aadel, of the 12 million potential work-force in the country, 65 percent (7 million) are jobless. Up to 3 million Afghans are drug addicts. Insecurity, corruption and joblessness are the main reasons forcing youthto seek refuge in drugs.

He hit out at the government for anomalous appointments and called for an immediate end to discrimination in the recruitment process.

Dr. Aadel also urged the authorities to take urgent measures to ensure the security of workers and provide education and health facilities for their children.

He hoped work opportunities would be provided for labourers with the implementation ofmega projects. The unionist also underlined transparentexecution of agreements and checking corruption.

mym/mud