In a recent statement, Masoud Bakhtiari, the head of the Permanent Committee of the Food Industry Commission in Iran, called for Afghan migrants to be included in Iran’s workforce. He emphasized that this would help solve the country’s ongoing labor shortage. Bakhtiari believes that by including Afghan nationals in the labor market, Iran could boost its economy.
He pointed out that many countries around the world benefit from migrant labor. “Why should we be different from the rest of the world in so many areas?” Bakhtiari asked. He argued that Iran, as a country that receives many migrants, should take advantage of their skills to help grow the economy.
According to Bakhtiari, Afghan workers could play an important role in sectors that are currently facing shortages. However, despite these potential benefits, the Iranian government has been pushing policies to deport Afghan migrants. Authorities have been ordering employers not to hire Afghan workers, which has made it difficult for many of them to stay and work in the country.
Bakhtiari’s comments come at a time when Iran is actively working to send Afghan migrants back to their home country. The Iranian government has set a goal of deporting at least 2 million Afghan nationals by the end of the current Iranian calendar year, which is March 2025. This policy is part of the government’s larger strategy to reduce the number of undocumented migrants in the country.
Despite these efforts, Bakhtiari believes that it is important to find a way to integrate Afghan migrants into the workforce. He suggested that Afghan nationals should be given access to services like health insurance and banking, which would help them settle in Iran and contribute more to the economy. Without these services, many Afghan migrants struggle to find stable work and support their families.
The debate over Afghan migrants’ role in Iran’s economy highlights a larger issue. While some officials focus on deportation and removing undocumented workers, others see the value in giving Afghan migrants a chance to work legally and help fill labor gaps. Bakhtiari’s proposal suggests that migrants could be part of a long-term solution to Iran’s labor issues.
At the same time, many Afghan migrants face uncertainty in Iran, especially with the government’s focus on deportation. While some were able to find work in sectors like construction and agriculture, others remain at risk of being sent back to Afghanistan, where many would face serious challenges. Bakhtiari’s comments may open the door to a new approach, where migrants are seen as contributors to the economy rather than problems to be solved.
While Iran’s government continues to push for the deportation of Afghan migrants, Bakhtiari’s remarks highlight an important issue. Including Afghan workers in the workforce could help address labor shortages and strengthen the economy. It remains to be seen if Iran will reconsider its policies and allow Afghan migrants to play a more permanent role in the labor market.