Iranian media have recently reported that the hiring of illegal Afghan migrants in Tehran’s labor market has been prohibited.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) quoted Vahid Golikani, the head of the General Directorate for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs in Tehran, stating that the employment of illegal Afghan migrants is now banned in the city.
Mr. Golikani emphasized, “One of our fundamental priorities is to prevent the employment of unauthorized individuals in the labor market. This is particularly important in terms of adhering to legal regulations and protecting workers’ rights.”
This Iranian official added that a program for monitoring and identifying illegal Afghan migrants in Tehran will soon be implemented.
Meanwhile, Iranian police have intensified the process of deporting Afghan migrants, with thousands being sent back to Afghanistan daily.
Additionally, a spokesperson for the Iranian police stated that Afghan migrants can file complaints with the police to claim their rights. According to accounts from Afghan migrants, most Iranian employers and officials do not allow them to transfer their belongings.
It is worth mentioning that following the Iran-Israel conflict, the Islamic Republic has initiated a widespread deportation of Afghan migrants. Tehran claims it is only deporting undocumented Afghan migrants; however, migrants report that police have torn up their documents, including visas and passports, and have deported them despite their legal status.
The United Nations and international organizations have called for immediate financial assistance to address the needs of migrants and their host communities.
