Partnering with the United Nations, FESTU Launches Nationwide Education and Awareness Drive on Labour Rights as Human Rights  

The Federation of Somali Trade Unions - FESTU, the official national trade union centre representing workers across Somalia, in partnership with the United Nations (UN) through the UN Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) and UNICEF under the Joint Programme on Human Rights (JPHR), has launched a nationwide education and awareness initiative under the banner “Labour Rights Are Human Rights” to empower Somali workers. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to promote justice, equality and dignity in the world of work.

This landmark initiative represents a significant step forward in empowering Somali workers to know, claim and defend their rights while reclaiming their dignity under the country’s newly reformed Labour Code. The new law, adopted after more than five decades, progressively enshrines the labour rights of Somali workers and all other employees working and living in the country. The project was officially launched at a two-day workshop in Mogadishu under the theme “Labour Rights Are Human Rights: Promoting a Work Culture Based on Rights and Dignity.”

The opening session, held in Mogadishu on 26 - 27 October 2025, was presided over by FESTU’s leadership, including President Ahmed Osman Said, General Secretary Omar Faruk Osman and Deputy President Nasra Haji Ahmed. Organised labour was joined by key partners and dignitaries, including Mr Mohamed Bashir Omar, Director General of the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development and Ms Kirsten Young, Chief of the UN Human Rights and Protection Group at UNTMIS and Representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Somalia.

The workshop brought together trade union leaders and representatives of workers at workplaces, including youth, women and people with disabilities, to deepen understanding of Somalia’s new Labour Code, promote gender equality, prevent workplace violence and harassment, encourage inclusivity and strengthen social dialogue across the country’s world of work. The sessions also explored the role of organised labour in ensuring compliance with international labour standards and fostering a culture of respect, dignity and fairness in workplaces nationwide.

After 52 years, Somalia’s Labour Code has been reformed to align with international labour standards, guaranteeing stronger protection for workers, safer workplaces and more inclusive and equitable employment practices. This project serves as a cornerstone of sustained education and awareness-raising, reaching masses of workers in the regions of Somalia to ensure that the new law is effectively understood, exercised and implemented, and its benefits are realised by all working women and men.

Speaking at the launch, Omar Faruk Osman, General Secretary of FESTU, said: “This project is about transforming rights on paper into real protection and dignity for workers in every corner of Somalia. For too long, Somali workers have laboured without full recognition of their rights. With this initiative, we are ensuring that every worker knows their rights, claims them with confidence and contributes to building a fairer and safer Somalia.”

FESTU's leadership reaffirmed the trade unions' solid mobilisation to advance human and labour rights in Somalia and across the regions. The Federation expressed deep appreciation for the partnership with the United Nations through the Joint Programme on Human Rights, which continues to support collective efforts to build a rights-based, safe and inclusive working environment where every worker’s dignity is upheld and respected.