Afghan Refugees After 40 Years

The Soviet war in Afghanistan, which erupted in 1979, was the beginning of a series of major waves of refugee flight from Afghanistan. Due to the ruinous war and its aftermaths such as destitution, the spread of diseases, unemployment and the like, thousands of Afghans left their homes and migrated to other countries, including Iran. By the order of Ayatollah Khomeini the leader of Iran which was itself in a war with Iraq and amid the civil unrest following the revolution, the border gates were opened to refugee Afghans and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and Basij Militia were assigned to cooperate with the Afghan’s immigrants.
Accordingly, it is now over three decades that Iran has been the host Afghan refugees which have been the second refugee population in the world. It is estimated that there are over three million Afghans in Iran, however; about one million of them are residing legally.
As Iran’s government does not permit immigrants to hold official jobs, Afghans gradually started to try different works to earn a living. Working as a worker in construction, ranches and farms and also as janitor is among the jobs which has raised more money for them in Iran.
Iran has become the second home-country for many Afghans and the first for many more. Some of them have purchased land and private property for themselves and are reluctant to return to their home country. Some of these immigrants could after years adapt themselves with the existing conditions in Iran and take advantage of the available opportunities, building a normal life such as many Iranians. Learning many skills, sciences, establishing art groups, taking advantage of free education, taking part in clerical institutions, etc. are some of the opportunities which this group of immigrants seized in order to adjust themselves with the new conditions.
However, some other due to variant reasons could not take advantage of the existing facilities to their own benefit. Among them are namely the seasonal workers and laborer children. Most of these immigrants because of parent loss or death in the Afghanistan civil war, illiteracy, and lack of job-security were forced to hold these jobs in Iran. They do hard works in farms and small workshops; have the least welfare and facilities, earning the minimum wage to live their life.
The migrant Afghans gradually started a marital relationship with each other and a few have also married with Iranian girls. They gain a lot of experience in Iran and in return draw a new picture and change the attitude towards Afghanistan society in the host country.