Afghanistan joined the ILO in 1934 and, prior to the current period of unrest, ratified three of the ILO’s eight Core Conventions: No. 100 on Equal remuneration, No. 105 on the Abolition of Forced Labour, and No. 111 on Discrimination (Employment and Occupation).
The under-developed Afghan economy is extremely vulnerable to natural hazards like earthquakes, drought and floods. The unemployment rate across the country remains high, making young men recruiting targets for anti-government groups. About four-fifths of Afghans live in rural areas and are heavily reliant on agriculture. Some are involved in poppy cultivation.
In April 2008, the government approved and launched the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) which includes goals such as economic and social development. The ILO contributed to this strategy.
The ILO has been working closely with other UN and international agencies involved in reconstruction activities in Afghanistan since 2003. In addition, the ILO’s Liaison Office in Kabul, supported by the ILO Country Office for Pakistan, is working to build up the capacity of the Organization’s tripartite constituents. This includes helping to restructure the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, (MoLSA), strengthening workers’ and employers’ groups, advising on the return, reintegration and temporary migration of Afghan workers and their protection, providing technical advisory services to the government on skills development and market linkages, and offering employment services to jobseekers (including ex-combatants and their families) in 10 provinces to help them find better sources of income. However, security is a big issue, affecting development work by both national and international organizations.
Afghanistan does not yet have a Decent Work Country Programme.