Somalia Actions

On 7 October, an affiliate of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU), , and its affiliated trade unions commemorated the World Day for Decent Work 2013 in demanding decent work for all and decent salaries for workers.

In a one-day workshop held in the conference hall of FESTU headquarters in Mogadishu, union leaders and organizers collectively voiced that Somali workers deserve to enjoy fair terms of employment, decent working and living conditions, a safe and secure workplace, social security and health care. 25 union representatives from ten industrial unions demanded that the federal government to pass the minimum wages bill in order for Somali workers to gain their rightful entitlement to decent wages.

The workshop welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister of Somalia that the decent work country programme for Somalia will be concluded and implemented, but participants stressed the for these words to be turned into concrete actions.

“We want to see work done on workers’ demands regardless of mere words of promises,” said Omar Faruk Osman, FESTU General Secretary. “Somali people need employment to sustain. However, the employment has to be in decent working conditions ensuring worker rights.”

FESTU members collectively demanded the federal government to create employment for unemployed Somalis, particularly youths who are migrating from the country. Unemployment in Somalia is a major source of instability and threat to sound progress in the country.

“Let us join hands with the workers of the entire world in commemorating this Day with fervour and dedication to secure decent work in our nation" said Faruk Osman, FESTU General Secretary.