Seasonal migration in İran: Local and foreign migrant labor in agriculture and livestock

This thesis examines the socio-economic, cultural, and political dynamics of migration from Afghanistan to Iran. The main objective of the research is to reveal the causes of migration, the socio-demographic characteristics of migrants, and their living conditions in Iran, as well as to evaluate this process within the framework of rural development and agricultural employment. The study was conducted through a review of the literature, reports of international organizations, and analysis of field data. The findings indicate that poverty, unemployment, agricultural inefficiency, and political instability in Afghanistan are the main factors triggering migration. Afghan migrants constitute an indispensable labor force in Iran's economy, particularly in the agricultural and construction sectors; however, their access to social rights remains highly limited. Data were collected using a questionnaire applied to a total of 100 workers—57 Iranians and 43 Afghans—selected through a random sampling technique. The results show no significant differences in working conditions and working hours, but substantial differences in perceptions of equal pay and discrimination were observed. The findings demonstrate that migration is not only a cross-border movement but also a process in which regional inequalities are reproduced. Policy recommendations include strengthening rural development in Afghanistan, implementing improvement programs in agriculture and education, and in Iran, ensuring the legal status of migrants, and developing social protection and integration policies. This study is based on the idea that migration should not merely be managed but rethought in a manner consistent with human rights.