A step forward in improving labour migration governance in Somalia: Labour Migration Policy validated

Somalia National Labour Migration Policy Validated, Key stakeholders gathered in Mogadishu from 3 to 5, December 2024 to validate Somalia’s National Labour Migration Policy and Action Plan. The workshop, led by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) in partnership with the Federation of Somali Trade Union and the Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry and with the support of the ILO, Better Regional Migration Management programme, focused on refining and finalizing a policy framework designed to strengthen labour migration governance and address existing policy gaps.

The workshop brought together 36 participants (9 female) representing government institutions, social partners, civil society, and international partners to validate the draft Labour Migration Policy and its accompanying action plan, which was developed using a consultative, gender-sensitive, and rights-based approach. The process aimed to align Somalia’s labour migration governance with international labour standards and global best practices.

H.E. Yusuf Mohamed Adan, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, who officially inaugurated the workshop, highlighting the timeliness of the policy in addressing long-standing challenges and reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting migrant workers and promoting fair labour practices.

“This initiative is both timely and essential for addressing long-standing challenges, such as the vulnerabilities of Somali workers to exploitation and human trafficking. The Labour Migration Policy will play a vital role in creating job opportunities while ensuring the safety and rights of migrant workers. - H.E. Yusuf Mohamed Adan, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs

Over three days, participants reviewed and refined the draft policy and action plan through a combination of presentations, group discussions, and plenary sessions. The discussions focused on key areas such as policy vision, implementation, financing, monitoring and evaluation. Feedback from these sessions was incorporated into real-time updates of the draft, ensuring that the final version reflects a comprehensive and inclusive approach. In addition, participants identified the need for strong bilateral and multilateral agreements to safeguard Somali workers abroad and improve mechanisms for remittance transfers. They also stressed the importance of building institutional capacity to implement the policy effectively, with a focus on protecting the most vulnerable populations, including women and persons with disabilities.

The action plan, presented on the final day, outlined phased interventions to prioritise immediate and long-term goals. Participants provided insights into the results framework and cost matrix, ensuring that the plan aligns with Somalia’s economic and social priorities. The updated draft policy and action plan represent a collaborative effort to address migration challenges in Somalia while promoting sustainable economic development.

The workshop concluded with a roadmap for the next steps. The draft policy will be translated into Somali and undergo a legal review before being presented to the Council of Ministers for political approval. MoLSA also committed to organize capacity-building programs for implementing teams and mobilizing resources to support the policy’s execution.