The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) have condemned recent labour deals between Somalia and Saudi Arabia, warning of exploitation risks. The agreements lack key protections for workers, raising serious human rights concerns.
Labour agreements between Somalia and Saudi Arabia, signed earlier this year, are drawing sharp criticism from international trade unions over fears of systemic worker exploitation. The Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) have voiced concerns that the deals fail to safeguard the rights of Somali workers deployed to Saudi Arabia, particularly in infrastructure projects linked to the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
FESTU described the agreements as a form of “modern-day slavery,” citing the absence of essential worker protections outlined by the International Labour Organization (ILO). Luc Triangle, ITUC’s General Secretary, condemned the deals as a “human rights violation,” accusing the Somali government of bypassing trade unions in the decision-making process.
“We denounce these rushed agreements that ignore international labour standards and expose tens of thousands of Somali workers to exploitation,” Triangle stated. He urged the Somali government to revisit the agreements through meaningful dialogue with FESTU to ensure proper safeguards are in place.
Somalia’s Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Yusuf Mohamed Adan, signed the agreements to regulate worker recruitment, including domestic staff and skilled professionals. However, critics argue the deals lack enforcement mechanisms, leaving workers vulnerable to abuse, unsafe conditions, and withheld wages.
The agreements come amid Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 initiative, a major economic diversification plan that includes massive infrastructure projects. Preparations for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, such as constructing 11 stadiums and over 180,000 hotel rooms, have significantly increased demand for foreign labour. Despite reforms introduced in 2021 to address labour exploitation, human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, report persistent violations under Saudi Arabia’s kafala system, which ties workers’ legal status to their employers.
A former migrant worker from Nepal shared harrowing experiences of being misled about his job, forced into grueling shifts, and underpaid. “I was promised a waiter position but ended up in a factory, working 14-hour days without fair wages,” he recalled. These stories highlight the risks Somali workers could face under the new agreements.
Hiiraan Online reports that FESTU has urged the Somali government to suspend the agreements until concrete protections are established. “Our workers deserve fair treatment and safety measures to prevent exploitation,” the union emphasized, pointing to similar challenges faced by domestic workers from Kenya and Ethiopia.
Countries like Kenya and Ethiopia have previously imposed bans on their citizens working in Saudi Arabia due to widespread reports of abuse and mistreatment. Critics argue that Somalia risks subjecting its citizens to similar conditions without enforceable labour protections.
FIFA’s decision to award Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup has also faced scrutiny over the country’s labour practices. FIFA’s commitment to human rights standards for host nations is now under pressure as concerns over worker exploitation mount.
“This is not merely a labour issue but a broader human rights crisis,” Triangle stressed. The ITUC and FESTU have pledged to work with global stakeholders to ensure accountability from both the Somali and Saudi governments.