TEHRAN: In response to rising calls to address economic challenges and prioritize the needs of Iranian citizens, Iran has expelled over 24,000 illegal Afghans, according to the Commander of the Border Guards in Khorasan Razavi province, Majid Shojai.
Over the past 10 days, people identified as present in the country illegally were handed over to the Afghan government’s representative at the zero point of the Dogharoun region.
Khorasan Razavi province, with extensive borders with Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, has become a focal point for border control efforts. Simultaneously, a parliamentary member, Abolfazl Aboutorabi, has proposed measures to penalize those renting houses or providing employment to unauthorized foreign nationals.
Landlords and employers engaging unauthorized foreign nationals, including Afghan residents, may face legal consequences.
Critics argue that, given the economic crisis, attention should be directed toward supporting Iranian citizens before refugees and immigrants.
Impact of Foreign Nationals on Employment in Iran
Recent statements from Iran’s Minister of Labor, as mentioned by parliamentarian Hassan Ramazani, suggest that around five million jobs in the country are currently held by foreign nationals, particularly Afghan residents. This assertion coincides with official statistics indicating the loss of nearly 900,000 jobs in Iran since 2018.
Accusations of Afghan refugees contributing to unemployment in Iran come amid reports of significant foreign investments by Afghan migrants and traders. According to the Iranian Foreign Investment Association, the country attracted $2 billion in foreign investments in the first half of this year, with Afghan migrants ranking first in terms of the number of investments.
