Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU)

Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) is an independent & most representative national trade union centre in #Somalia. It's a member of @ITUC & @ituc_africa

[Omar Faruk Osman @OmarFarukOsman]

Addressed the UN High-level Summit on Climate Action and the Just Transition, convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at UN Headquarters in New York, in the margins of the UN General Assembly.

Speaking for organised labour, my message was simple: workers and their communities must not pay for a climate crisis they did not create. A just transition must protect jobs, livelihoods and labour rights. It must provide social protection, new skills and safe workplaces. Developing countries also need climate finance through grants, not more debt.

I also spoke about information integrity which is the antidote to climate disinformation. People need truthful and reliable information about the climate crisis and its solutions. Journalists reporting on climate change and environmental protection must be free and safe to do their work. When journalists are silenced, communities are denied the truth and impunity thrives.

[Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) @festusomalia]

@festusomalia proudly took part in the Tripartite Meeting on Labour Migration, held on 22–23 September 2026 in Nairobi, ahead of the 2nd Africa/GCC+ Dialogue on Labour Migration. Organised by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the ILO through the #BRMM programme with funding from UK 🇬🇧 @FCDOGovUK.

The meeting brought together governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations as well as Regional Economic Communities and international organisations to strengthen African cooperation on labour migration and promote rights-based and sustainable labour mobility. The discussions focused on skills and labour-market pathways, decent work and protection of migrant workers, social protection, portability of benefits, fair recruitment and bilateral labour migration agreements (BLAs).

Through Somalia’s tripartite process, FESTU continues to contribute to the development of the #NLMP & #PrEAs Regulations, with a focus on fair recruitment, workers’ rights and effective protection of migrant workers.
@ituc @EHoALabourMig @ituc_africa @OmarFarukOsman

[Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) @festusomalia]

@festusomalia is participating in a 3-day (12–14 September) National Consultation and Validation Workshop on the National Competition and Consumer Protection Policy, launched yesterday in Mogadishu, organised by @mocisom with funding from the World Bank.

During the consultation, FESTU stressed that fair and competitive markets must support decent jobs, fair working conditions and workers’ rights, in line with #national & #ILS.

This comes at an important time as #Somalia deepens its regional and continental economic integration through AfCFTA, EAC membership and its engagement with COMESA. FESTU welcomes the Ministry’s commitment to social dialogue and inclusive policy making to ensure these spaces also benefit workers.
@ituc @ituc_africa @OmarFarukOsman

[Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) @festusomalia]

🇸🇴 H.E. Ambassador Gamal Mohamed Hassan @AmbGamal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, addressed Horn of Africa trade union leaders gathered in Mogadishu for the General Assembly of the Horn of Africa Confederation of Trade Unions (HACTU).

He said workers must have a place in the region’s growing trade and economic integration, stressing that there can be no successful trade without workers whose rights are respected and protected.

“More regional trade should mean more decent jobs, stronger workers’ rights and greater opportunities for working people,” Minister Jamal Hassan said.

[Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) @festusomalia]

🇸🇴 Somalia’s Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, H.E. Professor Salim Alio Ibro @SomaliaMolsa, officially opened the Horn of Africa Confederation of Trade Unions (HACTU) General Assembly in Mogadishu.

He underlined Somalia’s commitment to social dialogue and stressed that free movement must go hand in hand with decent work, workers’ rights and protection.

“The presence of trade union leaders from across the region in Mogadishu shows how Somalia values free and independent trade unions and respects their right to organise and carry out their work freely in our country,” he added. @ituc_africa @ituc

HACTU, an IGAD-recognised organisation that represents workers, is supported by the @ILO and the European Union (EU).

[Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) @festusomalia]

A major gathering of Horn of Africa trade union leaders is underway in Mogadishu.

Hosted by @festusomalia and supported by the @ILO and the EU 🇪🇺, the two-day General Assembly of the Horn of Africa Confederation of Trade Unions (HACTU) brings together national trade union centres from IGAD countries, Somali Ministers and senior representatives of IGAD and the ILO.

For the first time at this level in Mogadishu, organised labour from across the Horn has come together to strengthen regional solidarity and help shape the region’s future on jobs, workers’ rights, labour mobility and regional trade and economic integration.

A strong Horn of Africa needs a strong voice for its working people.

[Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) @festusomalia]

@festusomalia convened the National Social Dialogue Forum on “Transitioning from Charcoal Trade to Sustainable Livelihoods” on 29–30 August 2026 in Mogadishu, with @ilo support. The two-day dialogue brought together representatives of FESTU and its 12 affiliated workers’ organisations, government, employers, women and youth representatives, and civil society to examine the social, economic and environmental impacts of Somalia’s charcoal economy.

The dialogue focused on practical pathways towards sustainable livelihoods and decent work, with particular consideration given to workers’ rights, skills development, social protection and support for affected communities. The forum brought together officials from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA), employers and the ILO, highlighting the importance of social dialogue and coordinated action to ensure an inclusive and just transition away from dependence on charcoal.
@AddisIlo @ituc_africa @ituc

[Omar Faruk Osman @OmarFarukOsman]

Different continents, but many of the struggles facing organised labour are the same. Here in São Paulo, Brazil 🇧🇷, at the 1st Trade Union Meeting and Political Conference between Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa, we are building a common agenda for common struggles, turning solidarity across continents into collective action.

[Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) @festusomalia]

@FESTUsomalia today actively engaged in the National Consultation on Somalia’s National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan on the Elimination of Child Labour, organised by @SomaliaMolsa with @ILO support, and was officially opened by Director General Abdullahi Hassan Adan.

Speaking for workers, FESTU brought trade union priorities to the discussion, calling for stronger action to prevent child labour, effective enforcement of policies and laws, more decent jobs for adults and greater protection for children, using genuine social dialogue as the mechanism.

This work is not new for FESTU. In January 2014, with ILO support, we launched a national campaign against child labour which also pushed for Somalia to ratify ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour. Somalia ratified the Convention on 20 March 2014.

Twelve years later, the focus must now be on turning these commitments into action. Every child deserves protection from child labour and the opportunity to learn, grow and build a better future.
@AddisIlo @ituc_africa @ituc

[Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) @festusomalia]

A successful National Trade Policy requires meaningful social dialogue, with workers and their unions at the table to effectively articulate the interests and priorities of working people.

@FESTUsomalia was pleased, at the invitation of @MOCISom, to join today’s Stakeholder Consultation on Somalia National Trade Policy, advocating for trade policies and actions that create decent jobs, strengthen labour protections and deliver tangible benefits for workers.

This comes at an important time, as #Somalia has ratified the AfCFTA agreement, become a member of the EAC and is advancing its WTO accession, opening greater opportunities through deeper regional, continental and global economic integration.

@ituc_africa @ituc @AddisIlo @ilo @AfCFTA

[Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) @festusomalia]

Africa’s economic integration through its free trade architecture offers a real opportunity to create decent jobs and improve the lives of working people, which was at the heart of our constructive talks with visiting AfCFTA Secretary-General @MeneWamkele on strengthening labour rights protections and social dialogue.

As Somalia 🇸🇴 moves into the AfCFTA market, @festusomalia looks forward to deeper engagement between trade unions and the AfCFTA Secretariat, ensuring that governments, businesses and organised labour work together to make African free trade more people-centred, inclusive and beneficial to all.

@AfCFTA @ituc @ituc_africa @FRwanyindo @AddisIlo @KhumbulaILO

[Omar Faruk Osman @OmarFarukOsman]

Important engagement today in Mogadishu with visiting African Continental Free Trade Area (@AfCFTA) Secretary-General @MeneWamkele and his delegation, putting social dialogue and labour rights where they belong: at the heart of Africa’s economic integration.

As trade unions, we believe stronger trade and investment must translate into decent jobs, protected labour rights and a real voice for organised labour at the table. Africa’s economic integration will be stronger when working people are recognised not only as beneficiaries but also as active partners in shaping its future.

This is the path towards the Africa We Want!

[SIMAD University @SIMADUniversity]

SIMAD University welcomed Mr. @OmarFarukOsman, General Secretary of @festusomalia, for a courtesy visit and meeting with Rector Dr. @AMohaidinAhmed.

Discussions explored cooperation in skills development, youth employment and strengthening links between Higher education and the labour market.
#SIMADUniversity #FESTU

[SNTV News @sntvnews1]

Tonight, the General Secretary of the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (@festusomalia), @OmarFarukOsman, is the guest on SNTV’s Raad Raac programme. The discussion will focus on Somalia’s newly revised Labour Law and its enforcement, employment creation and skills development, the outcomes of the recently concluded International Labour Conference and the advancement of the Decent Work Agenda in Somalia.

[Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) @festusomalia]

At the just-concluded UN High-level Political Forum (#HLPF2026), @festusomalia and @ituc launched Somalia's Country Profile on the Realisation of the SDGs, calling for a new social contract that puts workers at the centre of sustainable development. Our message is clear: No SDGs without decent work, social dialogue, labour rights & social protection.

We thank @ituc and the European Union (EU) 🇪🇺 for supporting this important initiative.

Read the country profile ⤵️:

https://t.co/Vgoi4ymiV1

https://t.co/HM6o1HVboc

[Omar Faruk Osman @OmarFarukOsman]

Excellent exchange of views and strategies with my senior sister, @ColonjuwonILO, @ILO Special Representative to the UN and Director of the ILO Office in New York, following the conclusion of the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF).

We had a constructive discussion on the different union engagements in the HLPF, the role of workers and trade unions in delivering the SDGs, advancing decent work, protecting human and trade union rights, promoting the safety of journalists and ensuring that our collective voice is heard in the UN multilateral system.

[Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) @festusomalia]

@festusomalia proudly participated in the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (#HLPF2026) in New York as part of the global trade union delegation coordinated by the @ituc. The Forum is the UN's principal platform for reviewing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs), including Somalia's Voluntary National Review (#VNR), while providing workers' organisations with an important space to contribute to global policy discussions on sustainable development.

During Somalia's Voluntary National Review, FESTU called for stronger protection of journalists and media workers and urged decisive action to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists. The Federation also emphasised the need to advance decent work, expand universal social protection and strengthen peacebuilding through inclusive social dialogue. Sustainable development can only be achieved when fundamental human rights and internationally recognised labour rights are fully respected, protected and realised for every worker.

As part of the international trade union delegation led by the ITUC, FESTU proudly represented the voice of organised labour in the global dialogue on the Sustainable Development Goals. The Federation reaffirmed its commitment to working with national and international partners to promote social justice, democratic governance, decent work and inclusive development that leaves no worker behind in Somalia's sustainable development journey.

[ITUC @ituc]

During Somalia's Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the Sustainable Development Goals, trade unions and civil society stressed that sustainable development depends on peace, rights and decent work.

🗣️ "We call for greater investment in peacebuilding that addresses the root causes of conflict through decent work, social protection and social dialogue. We also urge stronger protection of human rights, an end to impunity, and an end to violence against journalists." Omar Faruk @festusomalia

The #SDGs cannot be achieved without peace, social justice and respect for fundamental rights.

🔗 Learn more: https://t.co/zYh2pF9lZZ
#HLPF2026 #TimeFor8 @ituc_africa

[Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) @festusomalia]

Pleased to welcome an @IGADsecretariat delegation to our headquarters for fruitful discussions with the @festusomalia leadership, followed by an interactive dialogue with journalists on the IGAD Protocol on Free Movement of Persons. Thanks to our affiliate @NUSOJofficial for organising the journalists' engagement.

@IGADHealthS @ituc @ituc_africa @AkhatorO @AddisIlo @KhumbulaILO

Watch the video highlights. 🎥