Friday December 13, 2019
MOGADISHU (HOL) - The government of Somalia and representatives from workers and employer’s union have agreed on a five-year framework that aims to improve worker’s conditions and enhance employment opportunities in the country.
Following a three days workshop in Mogadishu, the three parties developed a joint model dubbed Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) hinged on five priority areas.
The areas are promoting fair opportunities for Jobs creation and skills development, extending social protection for all; institutional capacity for labour administration; and social dialogue for protecting labour rights.
Labour minister Sadik Warfa lauded the formulation of the policy and pledged government support noting, “The Government of Somalia is keen to enhance employment and bring a positive change in the lives of Somali women and men through their access to decent working conditions.”
According to a statement from the meeting, the DWCP for Somalia is based on a wide-ranging consultation among key labour market stakeholders – which was informed by a systematic ‘meta-analysis’ for labour market situation of Somalia.
Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) secretary general Omar Faruk welcomed the consensus developed on DWCP priorities and expressed his hope for improving the working conditions of a large informal economy of Somalia. He highlighted the plight of workers having no access to social protection, decent wages, and any other decent conditions at their workplaces.
Besides high rates of unemployment which stands at about 67% among the youth, who also form two thirds of population, worker’s rights in Somalia remain unaddressed given absence of policy frameworks and legislations to protect their welfare and rights.