Iran Deports Over 2,000 Afghan child laborers, families

Iran Deports Over 2,000 Afghan child laborers, families
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Over 2,000 Afghan child laborers and their families have been deported from Iran amid growing concerns about migrant children’s welfare, Khaama Press reported. Mohammad Nasiri, Director-General of Welfare in Tehran Province, stated that about 4,200 child laborers were identified in Tehran last year, 86% of whom were Afghan nationals.

To tackle the issue, Iranian authorities have set up a specialized center for child laborers in Tehran, involving the judiciary, Department of Foreign Nationals, and police. Last year, Tehran’s Chief Justice Ali Alqasi reported that 82% of vulnerable children in the province were Afghan “foreign nationals,” with nearly 3,700 at-risk children identified.

Ali Kazemi, Secretary of Iran’s National Children’s Authority, pointed to financial hardship and lack of education as main factors driving children into street labor. The use of terms like “foreign nationals” reflects broader attitudes toward Afghan migrants, influencing public perception and policy.

The deportations highlight ongoing challenges faced by migrant communities amid economic and social pressures, leaving many children vulnerable to exploitation.