Balkh tailoring centers employ women among 3,000 workers

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajwhok): Hundreds of women are among about 3,000 people working in 60 tailoring centers in northern Balkh province.

Sher Mohammad Sultani, tailors association head, told Pajhwok Afghan News 60 tailoring centers existed in Balkh, with women running half of them.

According to Sultani, 3,000 people work in these centers, mostly women.

He urged the Afghans to use domestic products to support the local industry.

Nazir Ahmad Dawoodi, a tailoring center owner, said they tailor clothes for children and produce jumpers and other garment products.

He said they supplied their products to markets in Kabul and some provinces in addition to Balkh province.

Dawoodi has employed 150 workers in his factory and women make half of them.

Dawoodi said their main challenges were back-breaking taxes and prolonged electricity outages.

People working in these tailoring centers are happy with their job.

Farida, a tailor, told Pajhwok Afghan News she started learning tailoring skill after high schools were closed for girls in the country.

Farida expressed happiness about being employed and said: “I am learning a new profession in this factory to help my family economically with an income”.

Mujhgan, another girl, said she started working in the tailoring factory after her university was closed.

“I solve to some extent economic problems of my family with my income”.

Balkh Chamber of Commerce officials assured their support with tailoring centers.

Sayed Wahid Ayoubi, head of Balkh industry and commerce department, said his department was trying to reduce electricity price for industrial units.

Ayoubi said they were trying to decrease customs duty on the import of machinery and raw materials.

Another woman has generated job opportunities for 300 other women in a rugs knitting factory in Balkh.

aw/ma

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