Unpaid workers of multiple organizations stage protest

KABUL (Pajhwok): Dozens of workers of some organizations, who worked in the National Food Program during former president Ashraf Ghani’s administration, protested for not being paid.

The protestors included around 100 workers of Afghanistan Development Association (ADA), Sanayee Development Organization (SDO), Kuar and Wadan organizations.

Rohullah Ahmad, a worker of ADA who was one of the protestors, said that over 2,000 workers of the organization had not received their salaries for the last two to four months.

He said that all of these workers were currently faced with serious economic problems. “We have repeatedly referred to officials of (concerned) companies for our salaries, but they delay it to next dates,” he said.

Ahmad asked companies who had contract with the organization and the World Bank to pay their salaries.

Mohammad Osman Katawazi, another protestor who did not receive his salaries since four months, said that they worked hard during their job, but did not receive salaries and currently struggling with economic issues.

“We have repeatedly met with the head of the organization, he told us that if the World Bank gives money, they would pay our salaries,” he said.

He said that he had worked for five months with the organization, but he received his salary only for one month during the time.

The protestors also criticized the World Bank and said that the money did not belong to organizations, but to 2,000 workers who worked hard but they currently had no food to eat.

They also released a resolution in which they warned to stage widespread protests and shut the organizations if their salaries were not paid.

AbidHamayon, head of ADA organization, said that protest was the right of his workers. He said that the organization was not paid and the contract was violated.

He added that they had so far paid 60 percent salaries of their workers and they would pay the rest of money to their workers once the World Bank paid their money.

Hamayon said that the World Bank cut relations with them after the regime change in Afghanistan, but they shared the problem with Kabul Municipality to help in resolving it. He hoped the municipality would be able to solve the issue.

Mds/ma