Mogadishu, Somalia – The Federal Government of Somalia, through the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, has officially adopted the country’s first-ever National Labour Migration Policy, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s effort to regulate labour migration, safeguard workers’ rights, and foster sustainable employment opportunities.
The newly adopted policy aims to establish a legal and institutional framework that promotes safe, orderly, and dignified migration for Somali workers, both within the region and internationally. It is also expected to enhance coordination with key destination countries and international partners to address the challenges of irregular migration and exploitation.
The policy is designed to create formal mechanisms for overseas employment, strengthen labour rights protection, ensure access to legal remedies, provide pre-departure training and orientation for migrants, forge bilateral agreements with host countries, and establish data systems to track labour migration trends.
With a large proportion of Somalia’s population under the age of 30 and facing limited job opportunities at home, the government views labour migration as a critical avenue for economic growth and poverty reduction.
The policy was developed in close collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and other development partners after consultations involving civil society organizations, private sector representatives, and Somali diaspora networks.
International experts and labour rights advocates welcomed the move, calling it a transformative framework that can help mitigate the risks of trafficking, exploitation, and undocumented migration, which have long affected Somali job-seekers abroad.
Implementation of the policy will be supported by new legislation, institutional reforms, and public awareness campaigns. The ministry has pledged to work closely with federal member states to ensure the policy is applied uniformly across the country.
This development comes at a time when Somalia is increasingly engaging with international partners to expand legal pathways for labour mobility and integrate into regional and global labour markets.