Sayed Sadaat used to be the Afghan government’s communications minister before moving to Germany last December in hopes of a better future. He is now a dealer in the eastern city of Leipzig.
He said some of his family criticized him for taking on this job after serving in government for two years and leaving office in 2018. But for him now, a job is a job.
“I have nothing to feel guilty about,” the 49-year-old said, wearing his orange uniform next to the bike.
“I hope other politicians follow the same path as well, working with the public instead of just hiding.”
Its history has gained a special prominence with the chaos unfolding at home after the Taliban’s acquisition. His family and friends also want to leave, hoping to join thousands of others on evacuation flights or try to find other routes.
Former Afghan Communications Minister Sayed Sadaat passes a woman with a stroller while working for the Lieferando bicycle food delivery service in Leipzig, Germany, on August 26, 2021. (Reuters)
With the withdrawal of US troops on the horizon, the number of Afghan asylum seekers in Germany has increased since the beginning of the year, jumping more than 130%, according to data from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
But even with his background, Sadaat struggled to find a job in Germany that matched his experience. With degrees in computer science and telecommunications, Sadaat hoped to find work in a related field. But without German, his chances were slim.
Former Afghan communications minister Sayed Sadaat sits with his team while working for Lieferando’s food delivery service in Leipzig, Germany, on August 26, 2021. (Reuters)
“Language is the most important part,” said Sadaat, who also has British citizenship.
Every day he does four hours of German at a language school before starting a six-hour night shift handing out meals in Lieferando, where he started this summer.
“The first few days were exciting, but difficult,” he said, describing the challenge of learning to ride a bike in city traffic.
“The more you go out and see people, the more you learn,” he said.