*Minimum requirements for trench-digging works program would be surveying and staking out trench-line, importation of hand tools.
*Only native supervision required, minimal technical skills. This minimizes exposure of foreign engineers needed for more complex infrastructure projects like bridges and other structures, which require more secure environment.
-Dovetail the Military Strategy, Focus mission on using forces to protect work crews rather than chasing Taliban around the countryside. Minimizes civilian casualties.
This is a sustainable model due to enterprising Afghan nature. Afghans are natural businesspeople. Infusion of capital to poorest segment will jump-start informal economy, as Afghans use funds to buy vendor stands, taxis, and other means of earning income, and distribute income through the tribal-clan structure to other Afghans.
Creating 1 million jobs at $10 per day for one year would cost about $2 billion. This is far less than the cost of the entire military occupation in Afghanistan for 1 month. This would significantly impact the 40 percent unemployment rate and begin work on much-needed infrastructure.
Jobs for Afghans is requesting that all who are interesting in keeping the movement toward peace going forward this and the link to the full presentation to their congress members. LINK TO CONGRESS EMAILS. LINK TO EMAIL WHITE HOUSE.
"Most Afghans, after the dispersal of the Taliban, were full of hope and ready to work. The tangible benefits of reconstruction --jobs, housing, schools, health-care facilities --could have rallied them to support the government and turn that illusory "democracy" into something like the real thing. But reconstruction didn't happen." ---Journalist Ann Jones, "The Road to Taliban-Land"(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
