Foreign Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan
America Outsourcing Indigenous War Zone Jobs
Aug 13, 2008
Hidden by the mist of insurgent violence in Iraq and illiteracy in Afghanistan, foreign contractors continue to take the natural jobs that would benefit local citizens. The loss of work, the onset of poverty and large changes in national standards become strong behavioral motivators. While many people will seek clarification and overt help during periods of anguish, loss and despair, others will embrace isolation, self destruction or violence. With such turmoil in these nations some have become more creative and destructive, turning to fanaticism, national or sectarian violence and even suicide bombings for their personal solace.
After the invasions of Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003, the US and coalition forces were successful in routing the Taliban fighters and Iraqi Army. Once liberation was attained, the Western forces we assigned the task of rebuilding. In many cases the infrastructure was destroyed from battle or never existed; but either way, reconstruction was necessary.
Reconstruction Costs
Three fundamental areas where contractors lowered costs were instrumental in the behavioral changes of the Iraqi and Afghan people.
- Afghans would require considerable training and monitoring for them to actively take part in the restoration of their nation. An agrarian society, steeped in tradition and poorly educated, Afghans lack many of the skills necessary to rebuild. This would demand a considerable amount of time and manpower costing large sums of money.
- Iraqis are well renowned for their skills. They are a highly educated society possessing numerous technical skills that command high salaries; incomes commensurate with Kuwait, Bahrain and Dubai.
- The Iraqi military was not reincorporated into Iraqi society. The de-Ba’athification of Iraq was similar to 1945’s de-Nazification programs. Unlike Germany however, categories were not set up in Iraq and regular Iraqi troops were not quickly assimilated into post Saddam society. That procedure would be an arduous, time consuming and expensive task.
What are Foreign Contractors?
They are generally considered corporations or individuals whose nationality or allegiance is external to the environment in which they work. Their prime objective is maximization of profits and income.
Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan
Individuals, corporation and NGOs provide nearly everything from security to transportation; building to sanitation; education to healthcare; law enforcement to plumbing; air traffic control to farming in the areas. While many freelancers possess highly technical skills, many others have rudimentary talents used for manual or semi-skilled labor.
Problems
According to an August 13th, 2008 Associated Press article published in the LA Times, “At least 190,000 contractors are in Iraq...a ratio of about one contractor per U.S. service member.” Patrick Cockburn of The Independent reported on 6/16/08, “The contractors, who outnumber the 145,000-strong US Army…have become…much-resented....”
A good deal has been written about the Iraqi and Afghani procurement processes. The no-bid and cost-plus contracts have received considerable media attention. Furthermore shoddy, nonchalant or lethal transactions have drawn Iraqi and American ire. But little attention has surrounded the very concept of foreign workers employed by foreign contractors.
In a cost saving effort companies employ cheap Filipino, Indonesian and Pakistani labor rather than indigenous Iraqi and Afghani workers. Indian merchants and Vietnamese fishermen readily traverse the Persian Gulf (waters off limits to local businessmen) with supplies and fish. Iraqi pilots beg for work as squadrons of mercenary Russian and Armenian aviators fly transports over Iraqi airspace. Afghan brick masons and Iraqi electricians sit unemployed as cheaper Filipino laborers set foundations and wire buildings.
The failure of Coalition governments to require the training and use of local labor, contributes considerably toward resident problems. These breakdowns are occurring while “contracts in Iraq…[are] estimated to hit $100 billion by the end of 2008,” the Congressional Budget Office said in the Times article.
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