Iran is in talks with four European and Asian countries to send 5,000 skilled workers in a bid to reduce unemployment.
“Necessary negotiations have been held with Romania, Bulgaria, South Korea and Japan,” said Mohammad Akbarnia, Director General of Labour Force and Employment Agencies Office at the Cooperative, Labour and Social Welfare Ministry on Sunday.
“Japan needs much labour force but due to some outstanding problems, we are trying to resolve the issues with the foreign ministry to resume sending Iranian skilled workers to this country,” he added.
Akbarnia noted that Iran and foreign ministers of Romania, Bulgaria and South Korea have agreed to set up specialised committees to follow up on mechanisms to send Iranian skilled labour force to these countries.
Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industies, Mines and Agriculture Vice President Hossein Selah Varzi was recently in Bulgaria to explore investment and Joint Venture opportunities in the east European country.
“If talks go on as planned, we hope we can send at least 5,000 skilled workers to these countries,” the official mentioned.
Iran youth unemployment (15-29-year olds) stood at 25.1% during the past Persian year 1397 (21 March 2018-20 March 2019), according to the Statistical Centre of Iran. The total joblessness was 12%.
Sending skilled Iranian workers abroad is a government initiative aimed at cutting down the number of unemployed youth as well as meeting the high demand for skilled workers in countries such as Germany or Japan.
Iran is now studying applications of those Iranian who want to go to Germany or Croatia, for which there is an established mechanism, according to the Iranian official.