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Episode details

World Service,02 Sep 2021,26 mins

Western Union to resume money transfer services to Afghanistan

World Business Report

Available for over a year

The money transfer firm Western Union is resuming services in Afghanistan - a rare piece of good news as the country's economy faces collapse. We speak to former Afghan finance minister Omar Zakhilwal on the current situation there. Lockdowns in the Australian cities of Melbourne and Sydney – which had been due to end - have now been extended, as the country recorded its 1000th death from the pandemic. We find out how lockdowns are affecting business owners in those areas, and how the wider economy is faring. We also hear how the Communist Party in China is helping gig economy workers get unionised. And the concerns of saffron farmers in Afghanistan – as harvest time approaches, will the current insecurity affect the export of this coveted spice? (Image: Afghans queuing outside a bank. Credit: Getty Images)

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