By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
MOGADISHU — Somali trade union leaders have called on the federal government to hold Labour Minister Salim Aliyow Ibrow accountable, accusing him of interfering with the General Federation of Somali Trade Unions and undermining workers’ representation nationally and internationally.
Mohamed Osman Haji, Chairman of the Somali Cooperatives Association, told a press conference in Mogadishu that 13 unions representing sectors including education, health, transport, arts, hotels, telecommunications, local government, electricity, water and food were united in their complaint against the minister.
The chairman accused Minister Ibrow of attempting to weaken or dismantle the General Federation of Somali Trade Unions, which he said had represented Somali workers for many years.
He said the minister had excluded the trade unions from an annual tripartite conference in Geneva, Switzerland, attended by representatives of government, employers and workers.
“The Minister of Labour and Social Affairs decided to exclude the workers’ union from the conference and prevent it from participating this year,” Haji said.
He also accused the minister of sending letters to international and African labour organisations claiming that the General Federation of Somali Trade Unions was not a legally recognised organisation and did not represent workers in the country.
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Haji said the minister's actions had undermined the rights of Somali workers and damaged the unions’ relationships with international organisations.
He added that the federation was affiliated with African and Arab labour organisations and had represented Somalia at international meetings and conferences.
Trade union leaders also accused the minister of obstructing employment projects intended to create jobs for young Somalis.
They said the Ministry of Labour should have taken the lead in efforts to reduce unemployment, but had instead become involved in a dispute with workers’ unions.
The federation announced plans to hold a peaceful demonstration involving members of the trade unions to express their grievances against the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
Union leaders said they had submitted letters to the Ministry of Internal Security and the Banadir Regional Police Command requesting authorization to hold the protest.