The letter, confirmed by Economy Ministry spokesman Abdulrahman Habib, said female employees were not allowed to work until further notice because some did not follow the administration’s interpretation of the Islamic dresscode for women.
It comes days after the Taliban-run administration ordered universities closed to women, which drew strong global condemnation and some protests and heavy criticism inside Afghanistan.
It was not immediately clear how the order would affect UN agencies, which have a large presence in Afghanistan, providing services amid the country’s humanitarian crisis.
Asked whether the rules included UN agencies, Habib said the letter applied to organizations under the Coordinating Body of Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Organisations, known as ACBAR. That body does not include the United Nations, but includes more than 180 local and international NGOs.
However, the United Nations often contracts with NGOs registered in Afghanistan to carry out its humanitarian work.
Aid workers say female workers are crucial to making sure women can access aid.