Council of Ministers approve draft Labor Code

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The Federal Government of Somalia’s Council of Ministers have approved the revised Labour Code which will ensure fair treatment, better working conditions and more rights for all Somali workers.

The ministers during a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre approved the draft bill which is a step towards a more professional and prosperous sector in Somalia.

The new Labor Code is set to replace the previous law no. 65 of 1972 which has been under implementation over the last 15 years.

The Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) – the umbrella organisation of independent trade unions in a statement said the current Labor law does not meet the Somalia’s constitutional provisions, International Labour Standards and Somalia’s International Human Rights Obligations.

It further argues that the current code contains draconian provisions that have not only failed to protect workers in Somalia but, have in fact facilitated the exploitation and egregious human and labour rights abuses committed against working women and men of Somalia.

“For instance, Law number 65 has singularly been used to trample upon workers’ basic rights such as the right to freedom of association, the right to freely and independently belong to a trade union organisation, the right to strike and the right to collectively bargain for better working conditions. Law number 65 has been the real impediment hindering social dialogue and tripartism from taking roots in the country,” the union’s statement reads in part.

FESTU Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman thanked the Prime Minister of Somalia for rallying his cabinet to unanimously approve the new progressive draft labor code.

Osman added that FESTU, on behalf of Somali trade unions, workers and the general public were grateful for the Federal Government of Somalia for the crucial step which was achieved through a consensus-driven process involving the government, trade unions and employers.

The draft law now heads to the legislative branch of government for debate before the president signs it into law.

“We are equally optimistic that the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia will sign the revised Labour Code into law at the earliest convenient time, for the benefit of the country, and in particular the working women and men of Somalia,” Osman added.