The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is for labor policy formulation; provision of social safety nets; management of all activities for workforce development, and improvement of the welfare of citizens. In addition, it pursues the objectives of economic growth while mitigating unfair labor practices and enhancing the rights and wellbeing of workers and the vulnerable groups within the country.
Important duties of MoLSA
The scope of MoLSA is broad and includes everything from social assistance administration to labor market regulation. Its primary duties consist of:
Regulation of labor markets
Labor legislation in Afghanistan governs the rights and obligations of both employees and employers. This is put into effect by MoLSA. It secures fair pay, healthy working conditions, and non-discrimination, as it promotes fair conditions about their standards of work and regulates employment contracts.
Social security services
In order to provide workers, pensioners, and disadvantaged groups cash help as well as other types of aid, the ministry oversees social security programs. This involves running pension plans for public servants and promoting more comprehensive social safety nets.
Training of the workforce
MoLSA works on capacity-building initiatives and a vocational and skills training program to equip Afghan workers with the skills needed by domestic and global labour markets. Through these programs, there are two primary objectives: to reduce unemployment and to enhance productivity in different sectors.
Benefits for employees and rights at work
The ministry provides employee benefits including health insurance, retirement contributions, and workplace safety measures as part of its tight collaboration with enterprises to guarantee adherence to labor laws. It also arbitrates conflicts between workers and employers.
Support for vulnerable groups
MoLSA is in charge of initiatives that support underserved groups, such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and orphans. It makes social services, jobs, and financial help more accessible to them.
Preventing child labor
Addressing the problem of child labor is one of MoLSA’s main priorities. The ministry carries out policies and initiatives to guarantee children have access to school and other resources for their development as well as to avoid child labor.
Business relevance
To ensure adherence to labor regulations and facilitate personnel management, MoLSA is essential for companies doing business in Afghanistan. In the following situations, businesses must contact MoLSA:
Registration and compliance
Businesses must register with MoLSA to make sure they are abiding by Afghanistan’s labor regulations. This involves observing laws pertaining to pay, working conditions, and employee rights.
Employee contributions
Contributions from employers are required to MoLSA-managed social security and pension plans. Employee access to benefits like retirement funds and social protections is guaranteed by these payments.
Workplace audits and inspections
To make sure companies provide safe and healthy working conditions, MoLSA regularly inspects them. Employers are required to collaborate with the government during these audits and put suggested changes into practice.
Hiring practices
Employers are required to follow MoLSA’s rules for fair recruiting practices, which prohibit discriminatory hiring and encourage gender equality in the workplace.
Programs for training employees
To increase worker productivity and skills, the company can contact MoLSA for vocational training for its employees.
Resolution of labor disputes
MoLSA mediates for the settlement of labor disputes between the employee and the employer under the existing labor laws and regulations.
Challenges and prospects
Although it has achieved many distinctions, many challenges face MoLSA in the effective implementation of social and welfare programs. Some of these challenges include lack of funding, poor political environments, and lack of infrastructure within the MoLSA. However, as long as the economy of the country is reconstructed and systems of institutional framework are built, it is anticipated that the position of MoLSA will scale upwards.
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