USHAHOS Advocacy Meeting: Advancing Workers’ Rights and Empowering Women in Somalia

January 22, 2025

The Union of Domestic, Hotels, Restaurants, and Allied Workers of Somalia (USHAHOS) recently held a crucial advocacy meeting to address the pressing challenges faced by workers in Somalia’s hospitality and domestic sectors. These industries, which employ thousands of workers—most of whom are women—continue to grapple with low wages, unsafe working conditions, and a lack of legal protections.

During the meeting, USHAHOS leaders emphasized their commitment to driving change and advancing workers’ rights, with the union’s President, Halima Sheikh Rashid, highlighting the union’s efforts to transform these critical sectors.

Advancing Workers’ Rights in Somalia

The meeting addressed the precarious situation of domestic, hotel, and restaurant workers and outlined USHAHOS’s strategies to create a fairer and more secure labor environment.

Key priorities discussed included:

• Advocating for fair wages and improved working conditions for all workers in these sectors.

• Pushing for social protections, including health benefits, paid leave, and job security for workers.

• Strengthening workers’ voices through union representation, collective bargaining, and engaging policymakers to prioritize workers’ rights.

President Halima Sheikh Rashid reaffirmed the union’s determination to create a future where every worker in Somalia’s hospitality and domestic sectors is treated with dignity and respect.

Empowering Women Workers: A Top Priority

A key highlight of the meeting was the union’s commitment to empowering women workers, who make up a significant portion of the workforce but remain disproportionately affected by workplace inequalities, gender-based violence, and exploitation.

USHAHOS outlined its targeted strategies to support women workers, including:

• Promoting gender equality in the workplace by advocating for laws that protect women from harassment and discrimination.

• Creating leadership opportunities for women within the union to ensure their challenges and solutions are represented.

• Supporting women through training programs, mentorship, and legal aid to help them stand up for their rights.

President Halima stated, “Women are the backbone of these industries, and empowering them is critical to creating a more equitable labor force. We will not stop until women workers are safe, respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive.”

Overcoming Challenges in the Labor Sector

The meeting also focused on the systemic challenges facing workers, especially those in the informal sector. Many domestic, hotel, and restaurant workers face exploitation due to the lack of legal protections and weak enforcement of labor laws.

USHAHOS shared several ongoing initiatives to address these challenges:

• Advocating for legal reforms that formalize employment relationships and hold employers accountable for fair treatment.

• Providing training and resources to educate workers on their rights and how to demand just treatment.

• Building international partnerships to strengthen protections for Somali workers and bring global attention to their struggles.

A Call to Action

At the conclusion of the meeting, USHAHOS leaders called on government officials, employers, and international labor organizations to join hands in supporting Somali workers.

“Protecting workers’ rights is not just a union’s responsibility—it is a collective responsibility. Together, we can create a stronger, safer, and fairer labor environment for all workers in Somalia,” President Halima declared.

Next Steps

USHAHOS announced plans for expanded training programs, increased advocacy efforts for legal reforms, and the continuation of partnerships with international organizations.

Stay tuned for more updates from USHAHOS as we continue to fight for the rights, safety, and dignity of all workers in Somalia’s hospitality and domestic sectors.

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