A Ugandan female worker has initiated legal action against UK-based security firm SafeLane Global Ltd, seeking $15 million in damages.
The lawsuit alleges racial discrimination, dismissal related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and abandonment in Mogadishu following an Al-Shabaab attack.
The Somali Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs’ labour dispute resolution committee ruled in her favor, finding SafeLane Global guilty of exploitative practices and rights abuses.
However, enforcement of this judgment has been stalled, as the company has reportedly attempted to evade implementing the directives.
The Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) has condemned SafeLane Global’s actions, highlighting the company’s violations of both Somali labor laws and international labor standards.
FESTU’s Secretary-General, Omar Faruk Osman, emphasized the sanctity of migrant workers’ rights and demanded that SafeLane Global comply with the labor dispute resolution committee’s judgment.
He also called for immediate intervention by national and international bodies, including the potential revocation of UN contracts, to address these violations.
This case underscores ongoing concerns about the treatment of migrant workers in conflict zones and raises questions about the accountability of international companies operating in such environments.