Employment rights in Afghanistan are very different to the developed world, but if you're thinking of working here, then you must know what your employment rights are. We've put together a short guide on the central issues that expats should be aware of. Read on and find out more!

Employment rights in Afghanistan

If you're working in Afghanistan, then it's unlikely that you're going to be able to call the employee rights hotline anytime soon. The labour laws and employment rules in Afghanistan are very different from what we know in the west, and your employer will probably know more about them than you do!

Employment law is a very grey area in Afghanistan, and many of the rules and regulations appear to be little more than guidelines. Fear not, because we have put together this short guide on some of the main areas that expats should consider before joining their Afghan company.

Employment contract

You'll likely sign an employment contract (and if you haven't already done so, then don't sign anything until you've read it through carefully). Make sure that you understand precisely what you are being asked to do, who will be employing you and the wage that your employer is offering. There have been cases of people being promised employment by one company only to find out later that they are becoming employees of another business entirely! Find out about any hidden costs associated with working in Afghanistan - including visas, flights or health insurance - before signing anything or handing over any money.

You'll also need to read through anything regarding the notice period for termination of your contract. It is common practice not to give notice, but if this isn't stated, check again before signing anything. This will avoid confusion further down the line if there's a disagreement between yourself and your employer.

Read:How to write a Cover letter for Afghanistan job

 Employers may try to pressure you into signing a contract that doesn't match your expectations or give them the upper hand, but fight for what you want and remembers that it's totally fine not to sign anything until you're happy with all of the details.

Informal employment contracts are common in Afghanistan, especially for low-skilled jobs such as construction workers or drivers. Again, make sure that you understand what is expected of you before accepting any work without a formal employment contract in place! These informal agreements can take many forms – from a few words exchanged on a street corner to a full list of conditions agreed upon by both parties. The problem with these arrangements is that they do not offer the employee as many rights as a formal contract.

Employers in Afghanistan have been known to fire you without warning if the work is not going well or for no reason at all. In certain industries, it's common for employees to have their wages paid into a bank account that only the owner or manager has access to – meaning that if they choose not to pay, then there's nothing you can do about it except complain! If this happens to you, make sure that you speak with your embassy and ask them what action could be taken against your employer – remember, though, many of these cases may need legal backing from outside the country before they can take any action inside Afghanistan.

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The one area where informal agreements are strongly encouraged is in regards to tax payments. Not paying your taxes is likely to be a significant problem for locals and foreigners alike. It's best to check with the employer about what kind of tax payments they make on your behalf and whether or not you will need to file any additional paperwork at the end of each year. By law, all employees must pay 20% income tax, while some people may also contribute money towards social security.

Benefits in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a developing country, and as such, it can be difficult to access benefits if you fall ill or lose your job. Don't expect things to work as they do back home! Most employers will not provide health insurance unless it's requested in your employment contract. If you don't have this, then go! And try not to rely on it over there – remember, accidents and illness can affect anyone at any time, no matter where they are from.

Public hospitals in Afghanistan (NHS funded) offer free medical treatment for everyone, and you should make use of them whenever possible. Make sure that you don't pay for any medication unless you have to because all clinics and hospitals must provide treatment to those who cannot afford to pay. If this isn't the case, then complain to whoever is in charge.

Pensions pose a similar problem as healthcare - your employer may offer one, but depending on your age and the length of time you've been working, you might not get anything back once you leave Afghanistan. Afghans tend not to think about retirement age, but if you do, then make sure that your contract reflects it.

Know: How to write a CV for Afghanistan job

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many things to watch out for when it comes to signing an employment contract in Afghanistan. Employers aren't used to having their word questioned by employees and can sometimes react when asked tough questions about conditions or pay.

It's important that both the employer and employee feel satisfied with any arrangements made before accepting work, but if at all possible, try not to sign up until you've met face-to-face! This is especially useful when it comes to agreeing on salary - make sure that you discuss this matter with your prospective employer to set yourself up for success before you leave home.