Somalia Steps Up Efforts to Eliminate Violence and Harassment in Public Sector Workplaces
Somalia has launched a nationwide drive to make public workplaces safer and more professional, following a three-day national training programme jointly delivered by the National Civil Service Commission (NCSC) and the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU).
Branded “Building Respectful, Safe and Professional Workplaces for Public Sector Workers”, the course was organised by NCSC with FESTU and backed by the Ministry of Finance through the World Bank-funded Recurrent Cost and Reform Financing (RCRF) programme. As the first action under a broader initiative, it sets the stage for countrywide efforts to strengthen workplace culture, institutional capacity and professional standards across the public service.
The programme responds to recommendations from a recent Workplace Assessment across Federal Government institutions. That review called for greater awareness of ethics and professional conduct, stronger confidence in grievance and reporting systems and improved institutional capacity to prevent and address misconduct. It also highlighted the need for more accountable leadership, reinforced institutional safeguards and a culture grounded in dignity, respect and accountability. The training marks an initial step in acting on those findings and advancing reforms within Somalia’s public administration.
The initiative aligns with Somalia’s commitment to international norms and to building healthy work environments, especially the provisions in the newly revised Labour Code addressing violence and harassment. It upholds the right of every worker to a workplace free from violence and harassment, including gender-based forms, while supporting better governance, stronger institutions and improved public service delivery.
Opening the programme, Amina Hussein Ali, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to ensure safe, respectful and professional conditions for all public employees, anchored in dignity, equality and non-discrimination. She stressed that eliminating violence and harassment is vital to effective public administration and quality service for the Somali people. Protecting women workers from violence, harassment and abuse remains a government priority, she added, urging continued work to build environments where everyone can serve with dignity, safety and respect.
Speaking for the Ministry of Finance, Director General Saleiman Sheikh Omar said investing in civil servants is central to stronger institutions and better services. Through the World Bank-supported Recurrent Cost and Reform Financing (RCRF) programme, he noted, government is building a capable, accountable and professional civil service and fostering workplaces free of violence, harassment and discrimination. He encouraged participants to fully use existing grievance mechanisms and assured them that reported cases will be acted upon.
Also present was Abdulkadir Suleiman, RCRF Coordinator, underscoring the programme’s continued focus on institutional capacity, improved public sector performance and support for the initiative’s rollout.
Hassan Abshirow Mohamed, Chairman of the National Civil Service Commission (NCSC), reiterated the Commission’s commitment to professionalism, integrity and respect in the civil service. “A modern Civil Service depends not only on technical competence but also on a workplace culture built on dignity, mutual respect and accountability. The training programme enhances public sector workers’ skills to prevent violence and harassment while ensuring professional conduct and quality service for the Somali people. Every institution has a responsibility to ensure that its workers perform their duties in an environment where they feel safe, respected and able to give their best.”
FESTU General Secretary Omar Faruk Osman told participants the programme is a significant step toward decent work across Somalia’s public sector and shows the power of social dialogue in shaping better workplaces.
“Every worker is entitled to dignity, equality and a workplace free from violence and harassment. Eliminating violence, harassment and sexual harassment is not only a workers’ rights issue; it is also essential to building productive, inclusive and professional public institutions. Through the effective implementation of the newly revised Labour Code and ILO Conventions, Somalia will be able to strengthen protection for workers while creating workplaces where women and men can contribute equally, safely and with dignity. This initiative marks the beginning of a sustained partnership to make respectful and violence-free workplaces the norm throughout Somalia’s public sector,” Omar said
Over three days, more than 50 officials from a range of federal institutions deepened their knowledge of workers’ rights, workplace ethics, occupational safety, gender equality and prevention of violence and harassment. Sessions also focused on ethical leadership, cooperation between workers and managers and fostering a culture of mutual respect, accountability and inclusion.
Following the successful start, NCSC and FESTU plan additional activities under the initiative, including further training, awareness efforts, capacity-building and policy support.
As implementation progresses, continued backing from the Ministry of Finance through the RCRF programme will help embed a culture of dignity, equality, safety and professionalism across Somalia’s public service. It will also reinforce application of the newly revised Labour Code and international labour standards, supporting a modern, effective and people-centred civil service.
