Federation of Somali Trade Unions - FESTU

18/08/2026

The leadership of the Federation of Somali Trade Unions - FESTU held talks in Mogadishu on Monday, 17 August, with the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), H.E. Wamkele Mene and his delegation. The discussions focused on Somalia’s implementation of the continental free trade framework, the protection of labour rights in trade arrangements and the role of trade unions in Africa’s economic integration.

🔗 Read the full statement below ⤵️

The leadership of the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) held talks in Mogadishu on Monday, 17 August, with the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), H.E. Wa…

17/08/2026

Hoggaanka Xiriirka Ururrada Shaqaalaha Soomaaliyeed (FESTU) oo uu hoggaaminayay Xoghayaha Guud ee FESTU, Cumar Faaruuq Cusmaan, ayaa maanta magaalada Muqdisho kula kulmay Mudane Wamkele Mene, Xoghayaha Guud ee Xoghaynta Aagga Ganacsiga Xorta ah ee Qaaradda Afrika (AfCFTA) iyo wafdi uu hoggaaminayay.

Kulanka ayaa diiradda lagu saaray hirgelinta AfCFTA ee Soomaaliya iyo kaalinta shaqaalaha iyo ururrada shaqaaluhu ku yeelan karaan isdhexgalka dhaqaale ee Afrika. FESTU waxay miiska soo saartay muhiimadda ay leedahay abuurista shaqooyin hufan, ilaalinta xuquuqda shaqaalaha iyo xoojinta wadahadalka bulshada, si kobaca ganacsiga iyo maalgashigu uu faa'iido dhab ah ugu keeno shaqaale-weynaha.

Iyadoo laga duulayo mowqifyada Ururweynaha Caalamiga ah ee Ururrada Shaqaalaha (ITUC) iyo ITUC-Africa, FESTU waxay carrabka ku adkaysay in shaqaalaha iyo ururradoodu yeeshaan cod muuqda oo macno leh marka la dejinayo siyaasadaha iyo qaab-dhismeedka hirgelinta AfCFTA. Mudane Wamkele Mene ayaa soo dhaweeyay sii wadidda wada-shaqeynta lala leeyahay ururrada shaqaalaha, isagoo xusay muhiimadda ay leedahay in dowladda, ganacsatada iyo ururrada shaqaaluhu iska kaashadaan koboc dhaqaale oo loo dhan yahay.

FESTU waxay sidoo kale bogaadinaysaa Wasiirka Ganacsiga iyo Warshadaha Soomaaliya, Danjire Jamaal Maxamed Xasan, dadaalka uu ku hoggaaminayo hirgelinta AfCFTA si loo dhan yahay, isaga oo isu keenaya dowladda, ganacsatada iyo ururrada shaqaalaha, isla markaana dhiirrigelinaya wadahadal bulsho oo saldhig u noqda iskaashi iyo horumar dhaqaale oo loo wada dhan yahay.

17/08/2026

The leadership of the Federation of Somali Trade Unions - FESTU, led by our General Secretary, Omar Faruk Osman, met today in Mogadishu with a delegation led by H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.

The meeting provided an important opportunity to discuss in depth Somalia’s implementation of the AfCFTA and the role of workers and their trade unions in Africa’s economic integration. Discussions focused on decent job creation, workers’ rights, social dialogue and ensuring that expanding trade and investment bring tangible benefits to Somali workers and their families.

Reflecting the positions of the International Trade Union Confederation - ITUC and ITUC-Africa, FESTU emphasised that working people are at the heart of trade and economic development. A successful AfCFTA should therefore promote decent work, protect labour rights and ensure that organised labour has a meaningful voice in shaping and implementing trade policies that affect workers. This requires institutionalised social dialogue and permanent trade union representation within AfCFTA governance structures.

H.E. Wamkele Mene welcomed continued engagement with organised labour in the spirit of social dialogue and inclusive economic development, citing FESTU’s engagement in Somalia as a positive example and highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen engagement with organised labour across Africa. He recognised the importance of government, business and trade unions working together to advance inclusive economic growth that creates opportunities, protects workers and ensures that the benefits of African economic integration are broadly shared.

FESTU commends Somalia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Ambassador Gamal M Hassan, for leading an inclusive approach to AfCFTA implementation that brings together government, business and organised labour. This approach, anchored in social dialogue, provides a strong foundation for Somalia to advance an AfCFTA agenda that supports inclusive economic growth, decent work and respect for workers’ rights.

16/08/2026

Xoghayaha Guud ee Xiriirka Ururrada Shaqaalaha Soomaaliyeed (FESTU), Omar Faruk Osman, ayaa booqasho sharafeed ku tagay SIMAD University, halkaas oo uu kulan miro-dhal ah kula yeeshay Guddoomiyaha Jaamacadda, Dr Abdikarim Mohaidin Ahmed.

Kulanka ayaa waxaa diirada lagu saaray fursadaha iskaashi ee dhex mari kara FESTU, Jaamacadda SIMAD iyo hay’adaha hoos yimaada, gaar ahaan dhinacyada shaqo-abuurka, horumarinta xirfadaha iyo hindisayaasha la xiriira arrimaha shaqada ee wax looga qabanayo caqabadaha haysta dhalinyarada shaqo-doonka ah, iyadoo laga faa’iideysanayo wada-shaqeynta Hay’adda Qaramada Midoobay u qaabilsan arrimaha shaqada ee loo yaqaano Hay’adda Shaqada Adduunka (ILO).

Labada dhinac waxay soo dhaweeyeen xoojinta iskaashigooda si loo adkeeyo xiriirka ka dhexeeya shaqada, waxbarashada, horumarinta xirfadaha iyo suuqa shaqada, looguna abuuro fursado wanaagsan shaqaalaha Soomaaliyeed iyo dhalinyarada raadinaysa shaqo hufan.

16/08/2026

The General Secretary of the Federation of Somali Trade Unions - FESTU, Omar Faruk Osman, paid a courtesy visit to SIMAD University, where he held a productive meeting with the Rector, Dr Abdikarim Mohaidin Ahmed.

Discussions explored opportunities for cooperation between FESTU, SIMAD University and its institutions, particularly on employment, skills development and labour initiatives aimed at addressing the challenges facing young employable people while building on engagement with the UN’s labour agency, the International Labour Organization.

Both sides welcomed closer collaboration to strengthen the connection between labour, education, skills development and the world of work, creating greater opportunities for Somali workers and young people seeking decent employment.

13/08/2026

Xiriirka Ururrada Shaqaalaha Soomaaliyeed (Federation of Somali Trade Unions - FESTU) ayaa maanta ka qeybgalay kulan muhiim ah oo ku saabsan ka-qeybgalka bulshada, kaas oo uu hormuud ka ahaa Wasiirka Qorsheynta, Maalgashiga iyo Horumarinta Dhaqaalaha ee Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya, Mudane Mohamud Hon Mohamud Abdirahman Beenebeene. Kulankan wuxuu qeyb ka ahaa hannaanka dib-u-eegista iyo xaqiijinta Warbixinta Waxqabadka Dowladda Federaalka ee afartii sano ee la soo dhaafay (2022–2026).

Isu imaatinkan ayaa ururrada shaqaalaha ee ku mideysan FESTU fursad u siiyay inay si toos ah ula hadlaan mas’uuliyiin sare oo dowladda ka tirsan, oo ay ka mid yihiin Wasiirka Caafimaadka iyo Daryeelka Bulshada, Mudane Cali Xaaji Aadan; Wasiirka Kalluumeysiga iyo Dhaqaalaha Buluugga, Mudane Axmed Xasan Aadan iyo Guddoomiyaha Hay’adda Maareynta Musiibooyinka Soomaaliyeed (SoDMA), Mudane Maxamuud Macallin Cabdulle. Waxaa sidoo kale ka qeybgalay mas’uuliyiin kale oo sare oo ku howlanaa dib-u-eegista, qiimeynta dhaliilaha iyo gaabiska jira iyo xaqiijinta waxqabadka hay’adaha dowladda.

Xoghayaha Guud ee FESTU, Omar Faruk Osman, ayaa goobta ka sheegay in ururrada shaqaaluhu soo dhaweynayaan hannaanka dib-u-eegista iyo qiimeynta waxqabadka dowladda. Waxa uu hoggaanka siyaasadda iyo kooxaha farsamada la wadaagay arrimo muhiim ah oo ay ururrada shaqaaluhu aaminsan yihiin inay tahay in si dhab ah uga muuqdaan warbixinta la filayo inay dhowaan soo baxdo.

Maadaama ay matalaan shaqaale-weynaha Soomaaliyeed oo noloshooda iyo shaqadooda uu si toos ah u taabanayo waxqabadka dowladda, ururrada shaqaaluhu waxay muhiimad weyn siinayaan ka-qeybgalka noocan ah. Dowlad wax dhegeysata waxay fursad iyo madal siisaa ururrada shaqaalaha iyo qeybaha kale ee bulshada rayidka ah inay si madax-bannaan u eegaan waxqabadka dowladda, aqoonsadaan horumarka la sameeyay isla markaana si furan oo dhaliil wax-dhis leh su’aalo uga keenaan meelaha ay weli ka jiraan gaabis iyo caqabado. Ugu dambeyn, waxqabadka dowladda waxaa lagu qiimeeyaa waxa uu dhab ahaan ka beddelo nolosha shaqaalaha, dadka danyarta ah iyo guud ahaan shacabka Soomaaliyeed.

FESTU waxay bogaadineysaa Wasiir Mohamud Abdirahman Beenebeene iyo howl-wadeennada Wasaaradda oo uu hoggaaminayo Agaasimaha Guud, Mudane Abdifatah Hared, sida ay hormuudka uga yihiin diyaarinta warbixintan muhiimka ah oo ah tii ugu horreysay ee nooceeda ah ee dowlad Soomaaliyeed ay ka diyaariso waxqabadkeeda iyo sida hannaanka loogu furay wada-hadal bulsho. Tani waxay gacan ka geysan kartaa xoojinta ka-qeybgalka muwaadiniinta, isla-xisaabtanka iyo horumar dadka udub-dhexaad u yihiin.

Mas’uuliyadda ururrada shaqaaluhu isma beddelayso, waxayna weligeed salka ku heyn doontaa inaan si wax-dhis leh uga qeybgalno, si madax-bannaan u hadalno isla markaana xaqiijino in shaqaalaha iyo danahoodu udub-dhexaad u noqdaan doodaha ku saabsan waxqabadka dowladda iyo horumarka dalka.

Meesha ammaantu mudan tahay, waan sheegeynaa. Meesha dhibaatadu ka jirto, cod dheer ayaan ku sheegnaa!

13/08/2026

The Federation of Somali Trade Unions - FESTU today participated in an important civic engagement led by the Minister of Planning, Investment and Economic Development of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hon Mohamud Abdirahman Beenebeene, as part of the review and verification process for the Federal Government’s Performance Report 2022–2026.

The engagement brought trade unions under the aegis of FESTU into direct interaction with senior government officials, including the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, H.E. Ali Haji Adam; the Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy, H.E. Ahmed Hassan Aden; and the Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mohamud Moallim Abdulle, alongside other senior officials reviewing, critiquing and validating the performance of their respective institutions.

FESTU General Secretary Omar Faruk Osman observed the review process first-hand and engaged with both the political leadership and technical teams on how government performance data is being assessed, verified and prepared for the final report. For the trade unions, this kind of engagement matters. A listening government creates space for organised labour and civic voices to scrutinise public performance, acknowledge progress and raise critical questions about shortcomings. Ultimately, government delivery must be judged by what it means for working people, the poor and the wider public.

FESTU commends Minister Mohamud Abdirahman Beenebeene and his technical team, led by the Ministry’s Director General, Mr Abdifatah Hared, for spearheading this important and unique process while opening it up for social dialogue to facilitate civic engagement as part of advancing people-centred development. Our trade union responsibility remains unchanged: to engage constructively, speak independently and keep working people at the centre of the conversation on government performance and development.

Where credit is due, we give it. Where there is a problem, we say it even louder!

International Trade Union Confederation - ITUC

13/08/2026

Halkan ka daawo kalmadda Xoghayaha Guud ee Xiriirka Ururrada Shaqaalaha Soomaaliyeed (FESTU), Mudane Cumar Faaruuq Cismaan, uu ka jeediyay kulanka wadatashiga ah ee uu soo qabanqaabiyay Xafiiska Ra'iisul Wasaaraha iyo Wasaaradda Qorsheynta, Maalgashiga iyo Horumarinta Dhaqaalaha, laguna diyaarinayay Barnaamijka Waxqabadka Xukuumadda ee afarta sano la soo dhaafay.

29/07/2026

Daawo wareysiga Xoghayaha Guud ee Xiriirka Ururrada Shaqaalaha Soomaaliyeed (FESTU), Mudane Omar Faruk Osman, oo ku saabsan doorka muhiimka ah ee Xiriirka uu ka qaatay dib-u-habaynta Xeerka Shaqada Soomaaliyeed (Xeer Lr. 36/2024), laga soo bilaabo diyaarinta iyo wax-ka-beddelka xeerka, wadatashiyada iyo u doodista, ilaa ansixintiisa.

Kadib meel-marinta xeerka, FESTU ayaa si rasmi ah u bilowday kaalinta wejiga hirgelinta xeerka, iyada oo fulisay barnaamijyo wacyigelin iyo kor-u-qaadis aqoon oo laga hirgeliyay Muqdisho iyo Dowlad-Goboleedyada xubnaha ka ah Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya.

Barnaamijyadan ayaa diiradda lagu saaray faafinta xuquuqda shaqaalaha iyo qodobada Xeerka Shaqada, iyadoo mudnaan gaar ah la siiyay bulshooyinka nugul sida dadka naafada ah, haweenka, dhallinyarada iyo dadka waayeelka ah, si loo xaqiijiyo in qof walba si siman uga faa'iidaysto xuquuqaha iyo ilaalinta uu dammaanad qaadayo Xeerka Shaqada cusub.

26/07/2026

At the just-concluded United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York, the Federation of Somali Trade Unions - FESTU and the International Trade Union Confederation - ITUC launched Somalia's Trade Union Country Profile on the Realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The report presents the voice of Somalia's working people and calls for a New Social Contract that places workers at the heart of sustainable development. It emphasises the critical need to advance decent work, strengthen social dialogue, uphold labour rights and expand social protection as essential foundations for achieving the 2030 Agenda. Our message is clear: there can be no sustainable development without decent work, social dialogue, labour rights and social protection.

FESTU extends its sincere appreciation to the International Trade Union Confederation - ITUC and the European Union (EU) 🇪🇺 for their valuable support in making this important initiative possible.

📖 Read Somalia's Trade Union Country Profile on the Realisation of the SDGs here:
https://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/en__country_report_somalia_final.pdf?44706/74deccd29fd472e578a8a30aecfefe5625e83692e0a87e1e56bcced2a496ee3b