Employees at Aden Adde International Airport staged a walkout on Thursday, halting daily operations as workers protested what they described as unresolved grievances over low wages and poor treatment.
The protest targeted Favori LLC, the Turkish company that manages the airport under an agreement with the Federal Government of Somalia. As of Thursday, the company had not issued any public response to the workers’ complaints.
Airport staff from multiple departments participated in the walkout, citing salaries they say are as low as $1.71 per day, an amount they argue is insufficient to meet basic living costs in Mogadishu. Demonstrators also raised concerns about alleged disrespect, denial of labor rights, and repeated delays in addressing their demands.
Workers say they resorted to protest after months of failed negotiations and unanswered complaints.
“An employee who complains is not a criminal,” one demonstrator said, calling on both the Federal Government of Somalia and Favori to intervene and resolve the dispute.
Impact on operations
As a result of the walkout, airport activities were temporarily suspended, affecting routine operations at Somalia’s busiest international gateway. Officials did not immediately clarify how long disruptions would last or whether emergency measures were in place to restore services.
This is not the first time Aden Adde Airport employees have walked off the job. Similar protests in the past have centered on low pay, workplace mistreatment, and what workers describe as a lack of respect and accountability from airport management.
Labor advocates warn that continued inaction could escalate tensions and further disrupt critical national infrastructure. Employees are urging swift dialogue and concrete commitments to wage reform and improved working conditions.
The latest protest underscores broader labor challenges in Somalia’s privatized infrastructure sector, where workers often say oversight is weak and grievances go unresolved. Whether the government and airport management move quickly to address the dispute may determine not only the resumption of airport operations, but also the future stability of labor relations at one of the country’s most strategic facilities.
