Germans Provide Jobs to Local Afghans

By the International Security Assistance Force
Afghanistan Public Affairs Office

KABUL, Afghanistan - The German armed forces employ approximately 400 local Afghan nationals everyday on Forward Support Base Camp Marmal, helping to keep the base going and boost the local economy.

The Afghan workers provide construction work, interpretation, vehicle repair, furniture moving, cleaning and other odd jobs.

“We need them, otherwise we would need more soldiers,” said Capt. Lars Hogenkamp, German Field Administration Office manager and native of Jever, Germany. “They do a good job and are great workers. They are on time and are very reliable. They want to know everything and they learn fast.”

One of the Afghan construction workers said he and all of his colleagues are very grateful for their jobs on base.

“We are all very happy working here, the money is good,” said the worker. “There are a lot of workers in Mazar-e-Sharif who need jobs. I would like to thank International Security Assistance Force for giving the poor people jobs. I hope our country and economy will get better.

“We have economy problems from three decades of war and we have lost everything,” he added. “We just want a job, so we can have money and provide food to our children.”

The Germans are helping the International Security Assistance Force by assisting the Afghan government in extending and exercising its authority and influence across the country, creating the conditions for stabilization and reconstruction.