Monday August 10, 2020
MOGADISHU (HOL) - The Federal government has come to the defense of striking workers at the Turkish company managing the airport in Mogadishu warning against reprisals by the company.
Labour Minister Sadik Warfa said in a statement every Somali employee had the right to strike in accordance with the country’s constitution and international labor laws.
The minister’s remarks follow a move by workers at Favori LLC to go on strike since Sunday over what they termed as mistreatment and suspension of salaries for four months.
“The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia is very much concerned about the continuous breach of labour relationships by the part of Favori, and not adhering to the employment contracts,” the Minister said.
The Minister called on Favori to ‘come for conciliation with the affected workers under the arbitration o the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs with the presence of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation.’But a statement issued by Favori following a meeting with the minister noted, ‘Minister Warfa ordered workers to return to work immediately and informed the aggrieved parties of a follow up meeting within one-week time.”
In his statement, Warfa warned Favori against any victimization of the striking workers including termination of employment.
“Unlawful variation of the employment contract without the consent of the employee will be unlawful and amounts to a breach of contract or repudiation.”