Somali workers gather in Mogadishu to mark Labour Day

Saturday May 2, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s labour movement marked International Labour Day in Mogadishu on Saturday with a gathering of more than 1,000 people, turning the occasion into a public display of worker solidarity and shared purpose.

The commemoration was hosted by the Federation of Somali Trade Unions, with backing from the International Labour Organization, and formed part of the National Conference on Employment-Intensive Investment and Decent Work. Senior government officials, labour representatives, and development partners attended the event.

Acting Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Amina Hussein Ali said the government has a duty to strengthen labour laws and ensure they are applied effectively and in keeping with international standards. She also praised FESTU for championing workers’ interests through social dialogue.

FESTU Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman said unemployment, especially among young people, remains one of the country’s toughest obstacles, and urged greater investment in job creation and policies that include more people in economic growth.

“Workers must be at the centre of national development, and their voices must be reflected in decision-making processes,” he said, adding that the conference seeks to advance employment-intensive strategies that produce sustainable and inclusive jobs.

FESTU President Ahmed Osman Said reiterated the union’s determination to defend workers’ rights, calling work a basic source of dignity. He also stressed the need to shield workers from exploitation and to expand trade union freedoms.

Representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister and the ILO likewise highlighted the value of social dialogue, skills training, and policies that help build more inclusive labour markets.

The gathering gave workers a platform to better understand and promote employment-intensive investment approaches under the Decent Work Agenda, strengthening their role in national discussions on jobs and development.

The conference ended with a renewed pledge from trade unions, government institutions, and partners to advance decent work, reinforce labour protections, and support sustainable job creation throughout Somalia.