"Somali labour deals with Saudi Arabia slammed by unions over exploitation,"

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) have condemned labour agreements between Somalia and Saudi Arabia, warning of systemic exploitation risks for Somali workers. These deals, signed earlier this year, authorize the deployment of Somali labourers to Saudi Arabia to meet the country's growing workforce demands, particularly for infrastructure projects tied to the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

FESTU labelled the agreements as "modern-day slavery," citing the absence of critical worker protections recommended by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2022. Luc Triangle, ITUC's General Secretary, denounced the agreements, calling them a "gross violation of human rights" and highlighting the Somali government's failure to engage unions in meaningful dialogue.
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Somalia's Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Yusuf Mohamed Adan, signed the agreements to regulate the recruitment of Somali workers, including domestic staff and professionals. However, critics argue that these agreements lack enforceable safeguards, leaving workers vulnerable to exploitation.

FESTU has urged the Somali government to suspend the agreements until adequate protections are in place. "Somali workers deserve better safeguards to avoid the exploitation experienced by others," the union stated.

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