RASC News Agency: Several employees of private institutions in Herat province, located in western Afghanistan, report that they have not received any salaries for over a year. They confirm that this situation has occurred exclusively under Taliban rule and that there has been no intervention from the relevant authorities to resolve the issue. One of the employees, who wished to remain unnamed, told RASC News Agency on Thursday, April 25, that they have repeatedly spoken with local Taliban authorities about the matter, but have yet to receive any resolution regarding their salaries.
The employee also stated that if the institutions in question do not pay their salaries, they will escalate their protests. Similarly, another employee told RASC News Agency that this is the first time private sector employees have faced salary-related issues. Moreover, a male school teacher in Herat province, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told RASC News Agency, “It is not only private sector employees in this province who are concerned about the non-payment of their salaries; some government employees are also deeply dissatisfied with the situation.”
The teacher added that one reason they have not raised their voices about their rights and entitlements is fear and intimidation from Taliban members. He stated that experts in western Afghanistan confirm that the Taliban are behind the scenes of the non-payment of private sector employees’ salaries in Herat province.
Qane Basiri, an expert in western Afghanistan, told RASC News Agency that the Taliban, by interfering in the internal affairs of all national and international institutions, have demonstrated to the officials of these institutions that the ruling group in Afghanistan is in control and that they must work according to the group’s directives. He also noted that this situation represents a disruption in the work environment of Herat province and requires careful attention.
We were unable to obtain comments from Taliban authorities in Herat province. The challenges faced by private sector employees in Herat province come on the heels of recent concerns raised by doctors in the province about the non-payment of their salaries by the Taliban and their call for appropriate attention to the matter.
