The Global trade union movement has leapt to the defense of Somalia’s independent trade union movement, by telling Somali government and anti-trade union forces in Somalia to keep their “hands-off Somali trade unions”.

Meeting in Vienna, Austria, at the annual General Council meeting of the International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC), global trade union leaders hailed the ILO conclusions and recommendations on Somalia which were approved by the ILO Governing Body on 9 November 2016.

UN’s specialized agency with the mandate to look into freedom of association and labour issues, the ILO concluded that there has been systematic, and even systemic, violation of the ILO Conventions in Somalia. It saw a clear pattern of intimidations and threats against members and leaders of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) and the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU). It also noted with particular concern the calculated attempt for government sponsored individuals who are none-union members to take over the trade union movement, widespread interference in trade union affairs and the failure to guarantee judicial independence and the rule of law, resulting in a situation of impunity for those perpetrating violations.

Commending NUSOJ and FESTU for their tenacious fight for human and trade union rights in a dangerous and exploitive environment, ITUC and its affiliated trade unions unanimously resolved to step up the global solidarity actions to defend and support Somalia’s free and independent trade movement, under the ambit of the Federation of Somali Trade Unions.

Following the decision and recommendation of ITUC-Africa, ITUC upgraded Somalia from “Watch-list” to “Target List” in terms of countries that will be subjected to intensive international campaign due to grave human and trade union rights.