Somalia and Saudi Arabia Ink Labour Agreement Amid Concerns of Mistreatment of Somali Workers

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Somalia and Saudi Arabia have signed a labour agreement that would see Somalis access job opportunities in the Gulf nation.

Labour and Social Affairs Minister Yusuf Mohamed Adan and his Saudi counterpart Engineer Ahmed Bib Suleyman Al-Rahji signed the agreement on Thursday. However, the agreement has elicited mixed reactions from Somalis amid concerns about unfair labour practices against Somalis in Saudi Arabia.

Somalis interviewed by Goobjoog TV raised concerns over the agreement, noting that several young Somali workers, particularly women, have faced difficulties in Saudi Arabia. They noted that some Somalis have been mistreated by their employers in Saudi Arabia.

They observed that unless these concerns are addressed, the new labour agreement will not benefit Somalis. They noted that while it presents a good opportunity for jobs in light of the difficulties faced by young Somalia, it was imperative that the government raises and addresses the concerns with the government of Saudi Arabia.

“We do not want our youth to be exploited in a foreign country. It is essential to first ensure their rights and safety,” a young man who did not want to be named said.

“There have been reports of workers being abused in Saudi Arabia. The government must exercise caution before signing agreements that do not guarantee the safety and well-being of our citizens,” another respondent said.

The public is urging the President and the Prime Minister of the Federal Government to reconsider this agreement, emphasizing the need to prioritize the protection of the dignity and rights of Somali youth based on past experiences that have shown such agreements may not always serve the best interests of the population.