Mogadishu, Somalia – An Unfolding Debate on Labor Relations

Amid an unfolding drama in international labor relations, a notable Somali lawmaker has raised serious concerns. Senior government figures stand accused of deliberately undermining a pivotal labor agreement with Saudi Arabia and politicizing Somalia’s engagement at the International Labour Organization (ILO). This has ignited outrage and put the nation’s foreign and labor policies back under the microscope.

In a candid letter addressed to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and copied to key government and diplomatic figures, MP Dr. Abdillahi Hashi Abib — a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation — has called for an immediate inquiry into Somalia’s bewildering stance at the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva.

He wrote: Ref: GSH/XX/CXA/Pres_75 Date: 21/06/2025

To: President
Cc: Speaker of the House of the People
Cc: Chair, Committee on Foreign Affairs
Cc: Prime Minister of Somalia
Cc: Minister of Foreign Affairs
Cc: Minister of Labor
Cc: Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Somalia
Cc: UN ILO Liaison

Dr. Abib didn’t hold back in his criticism of Somalia’s delegation — partly led by an individual named Omar Faruk Osman — for jointly filing a grievance against Saudi Arabia over alleged labor rights abuses. This move comes despite a bilateral labor agreement sealed in February 2025, meant to generate thousands of legal job opportunities for Somali youth.

“With this stunt, orchestrated by Omar Faruk Osman and seemingly backed by some within the administration, we have undermined a landmark accord. This agreement was intended to ramp up employment, boost remittances, and fight human trafficking,” Dr. Abib asserted.

Alarm bells have been ringing since the Horn Observer reported Somalia’s formal accusation of labor exploitation against Saudi Arabia at the ILC in Geneva. Curiously, this accusation was made even after the Somali Cabinet had recently ratified employment agreements with the Kingdom.

In the words of Somali media, this move was seen as a “betrayal” of the prospects to secure legal employment for a multitude of jobless Somalis.

Simultaneously, allegations of human trafficking have marred the Somali delegation to Geneva. Out of the 23-member delegation, only 11 have returned home, with the remaining members seemingly disappearing without a trace. Such incidents raise uncomfortable questions about corruption and the misuse of international platforms for selfish gain.

Dr. Abib’s letter points fingers at individuals within the Ministry of Labor, the State Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Somalia’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and others tied to Villa Somalia and the Office of the Prime Minister, accusing them of sabotaging bilateral labor advances and leveraging diplomatic missions for personal or political gain.

He sounded a warning that the ILO complaint’s submission breached both diplomatic norms and Somalia’s constitutional oversight procedures, risking a vital relationship with one of Somalia’s most significant development partners.

“There is a mounting worry that Somalia’s decision to endorse the ITUC-Africa campaign marks a shift in foreign policy, distancing us from traditional Gulf allies like Saudi Arabia and pivoting toward other geopolitical actors,” Dr. Abib noted.

He demanded several actions, including:

• The immediate suspension of Omar Faruk Osman from all labor positions
• Public disclosure of Somalia’s legal stance on the ILO complaint
• A parliamentary investigation into the actions of all involved officials
• A formal apology to Saudi Arabia
• An independent audit and criminal inquiry into allegations of visa fraud, bribery, and trafficking within the labor sector

Dr. Abib passionately concluded with, “Our youth deserve more. Parliament will act to hold all accountable, and we trust your office will do the same.”

The Somali federal government has yet to provide a response to these serious allegations.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.