The first meeting of the ‘Somali National Tripartite Consultative Committee (SNTCC) took place in Mogadishu on Thursday 4th September 2019, and was chaired by the Honourable Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of Somalia, Sadik Hirsi Warfa MP. In a bipartite statement both the Somali Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) and the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) called this a ”commendable and progressive move”.
Social partners expressed their conviction that social dialogue is and remains a tool that can help address socio-economic and labour relations challenges. They asserted that national social dialogue is of extreme importance in building consensus on broad issues, to navigate the current situation in a balanced and inclusive way that promotes social justice, fairness and equity.
Social partners also expressed their gratitude to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for its commitment to social dialogue, tripartism and decent work while appreciating its institutional, technical, moral and financial support.
The committee, which consists of an equal number of representatives of employers and workers as the Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs is tasked with formulating and implementing a coherent policy on basic conditions of employment and on health, safety and welfare at work. It will also make proposals for the adoption and amendment of any legislation affecting labour or industrial relations and will promote collective bargaining and the decent work agenda. The committee will also periodically review the situation of the local labour market and discuss appropriate policy actions to promote employment and decent work in Somalia. It will further seek to develop collaboration with other line ministries at Federal and Federal Member State (FMS) levels for promoting decent work in Somalia while at the same time reviewing policies and programmes developed by Federal Government as well as by FMS for ensuring their alignment with international standards and national priorities.
The committee is also mandated to deal with all matters concerning relations between Somalia and the International Labour Organisation and related bodies and will concretely oversee the formulation of a Decent Work Country Programme for Somalia.
For employers, the committee will present for the first time since Somalia joined the ILO, an important institutionalized venue to present the voice of the Somali private sector and represent its interests in terms of adoption and amendment of any legislation affecting labour or industrial relations. The committee also gives employers the opportunity to official shape and influence public policy and government programmes. The Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACTEMP) will extend the usual support to Somali employers in best making use of this important tripartite consultative committee.