Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) which is a NUSOJ affiliate raised alarming security concerns against media workers and trade union leaders at various levels by militias funded by the Brussels based International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
“Is rasaaseeyn saaxiibtinimo” ayaa la sheegayWaxaa isa soo taraya weerar la sheegay in lagu qaaday Xoghayihii hore ee…
Posted by Alimusa Abdi on Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Following the ITUC funded drama in Mogadishu on 29 December, 2015, which a Somali national, Omar Faruk Osman claimed to have narrowly escaped assassination, wounded two civilians by passers, which raised the eyebrows of many. Although, the matter is still under investigation, however, preliminary reports confirmed that the incident was “fake†and was organized by Omar Faruk himself to raise his profile at the international fora that he is under serious threat. Many Somali investigative journalists also called the incident “A friendly fire†a conversation that widely circulated in the social media.
The leadership of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has been bombing thousands of dollars for the past several years to create instability and violence among the Somali workers, with their major aim to create a base for the man they have been backing – Omar Faruk and eliminate his opponents in the country by various means through legal means or power, enabling dangerous environment for the Somali workers.
Part of the money ITUC paid were used to hire lawyers in Mogadishu and Nairobi and part of the money were used to hire goons who continuously threaten the Somali media workers through text messages, emails and unidentified phone numbers, all making death threats, although some of the callers were indentified and publicly condemned by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), FESTU affiliate.
Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU), which has a membership of seven labor unions including NUSOJ vehemently condemns any attempts to create violence among Somali workers or enabling a dangerous environment for the workers.
FESTU is not clear if ITUC is aware of how their funds were used or that their funds were diverted to conduct these criminal activities without their knowledge, but condemns in the strongest terms possible about these organized crimes carried on behalf of the ITUC funding and calls ITUC to stop the violence against the workers
FESTU urges the Federal government of Somalia to immediately release the findings of their report and it calls for the Somali workers to remain vigilant at all times.
—————
Editors Note:
Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) is a national trade union center that works with labour unions and civil society groups in all districts and regions of Somalia, to promote and defend workers interest through decent working conditions.
For Editors and Reporters, please submit your inquiries to: [email protected]
