Skip to page content
Bureau of International Labor Affairs
Bookmark and Share
DOL Home > ILAB > Technical Cooperation Project Summary

Technical Cooperation Project Summary

Project Title

Building the Capacity of the Afghan Labor Ministry to Increase Knowledge of the Labor Code and Basic Worker Rights

Region/Country

Afghanistan

Grant Number

IL-17821-08-60-K

Project Duration

October 1, 2008 — March 31, 2010

Funding Level

$650,000 (FY2008)

Problem to be Addressed

In 2006, the Government of Afghanistan completed a new labor code for Afghanistan, but Parliament only enacted three of the 42 regulations contained within the code. While the labor code has not yet been passed into law in its entirety, it is provisionally in effect under a stop-gap Presidential decree. The complete labor code is expected to be enacted by the end of 2009. Enforcement of the provisional code is a challenge. Judges are not yet fully aware of the provisions of the new labor law, which has put the labor ministry in a difficult enforcement role during several recent cases alleging violations of the labor code and child labor laws. There is also a need to raise awareness among the general public, including worker and employer organizations and employers and employer organizations of internationally-recognized core labor standards and their rights and responsibilities under the new labor code.

Targets
  • Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs, and Disabled (MoLSAMD)
  • Judges
  • Workers
  • Employers

Project Objectives

Increased knowledge and awareness of the new labor code and internationally-recognized core labor standards among judges, workers, and employers.

Summary of Activities
  • Evaluating Afghan labor laws for compliance with internationally-recognized core labor standards and providing recommendations for any labor law reforms, as appropriate.
  • Assisting MoLSAMD to develop and implement an information dissemination strategy to educate workers and worker organizations and employers and employer organizations on internationally-recognized core labor standards and their rights and responsibilities under the new labor code.
  • Assisting MoLSAMD to develop and implement a training program for members of the judiciary responsible for enforcing labor laws on internationally-recognized core labor standards and the provisions of the new labor code.

Partner Organizations

The Asia Foundation

Contact Information

Office of Trade and Labor Affairs
Division of Trade Agreement Administration and Technical Cooperation
(202) 693-4900

Date Last Updated

June 10, 2010