Afghan immigrants in the world city of Yazd (Iran): Strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of Afghan immigrants for the Iranian community in general and Yazd province in particular. To this end, the methods of qualitative sociological research and SWOT analysis were used, and the research data was collected through in-depth interviews with 21 informants. Working as a substitute for Iranian labor in less popular jobs, functioning as cultural ambassadors of Iran, and integration with the host society were detected to comprise the opportunities of Afghan immigrants. Hardworking spirit of immigrants and increased competition between the local labor force and the Afghan labor force were recognized as the strengths of Afghan immigrants. Weaknesses were found to be inadequate supervision of Afghan migrants, the experience of social discrimination, legal loopholes regarding the organization of Afghan migrants, and lack of a proper job placement system. Finally, threats were found to be the settlement of immigrants in the historical part of Yazd province, the high number of children of Afghans, and the increased possibility of committing crimes.