He said the same goes for bakeries, which recently introduced a new "smartization" system that uses special cards that allow customers to automatically deduct their purchases from a state-subsidized account. Mirwais expressed the same frustration, saying that if fellow passengers are not willing to purchase electronic passes for them, he and other Afghans must take taxis at much greater expense. "Unfortunately, as Afghan migrants, we don't have the right to have a bank card or even a SIM card. "Some buy tickets for us, but others don't." They don't accept cash," he told Radio Azadi. "In the subway, you need to pay with a bank card. Mohammad Amiri, 26, has lived in Tehran with his wife and child for more than two years, but still faces difficulties carrying out everyday tasks. Iran - Iranians queue at a bakery in Tehran to buy traditional bread. The problem has been compounded by the need for bank cards to purchase transportation tickets or to apply for new smart cards introduced for purchasing subsidized goods from bakeries, meaning Afghans have to rely on workarounds just to put food on the table or travel around. Getting mobile phone service has also been made difficult due to Iran's crackdown on unregistered SIM cards. Some Afghans living in Iran say they cannot open a bank account at all, while others complain that they face limits on the amount they can withdraw. While Iran has made the leap to Internet banking, online purchases, and digital card readers, migrants must still go in person to a bank to make withdrawals or send wire payments. The lack of access to basic services can be traced to requirements imposed years ago that effectively prevent many members of Iran's large Afghan community from obtaining bank cards. "Whether in Shiraz, Tehran, or Isfahan, migrants suffer and are under pressure all over Iran."
"All the migrants face this," said Mirwais, who gave only his first name in a telephone interview with RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Mirwais, who has lived in the southwestern city of Shiraz for over 20 years, says the limitations add to the "pressure" he and other Afghans face every day in Iran. But Afghans living in the country say they are being left behind due to immigration policies that restrict their access to bank cards.Īfghan migrants are complaining that not being able to have bank cards makes it difficult to use city subways, access mobile phone services, and even to get their daily bread. Iran is implementing modern new payment systems to make it easier for its citizens to use public transportation and get their subsidized daily bread.
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