Somalia accused Saudi Arabia of labor exploitation at the ILC in Geneva, undermining job deals recently approved by Somalia’s federal cabinet.
Somali delegates’ criticism at ILC risks damaging employment agreements and jeopardizing Saudi development and humanitarian support, local media sources reported.
In May, Somalia’s labor minister met Saudi deputy minister in Riyadh and agreed to fast-track overseas employment opportunities for Somali migrant workers.
In February, Saudi Fund for Development signed an MoU with UNDP to implement a Somali rural development grant under the Africa program.
Since 1977, Saudi Arabia has provided Somalia with over $100 million in loans and grants for supporting water, agriculture, education, and infrastructure.
Somalia’s criticism comes amid its election season, with foreign policy shifting from Saudi-UAE-Egypt alliance toward Qatar, reportedly seeking political and financial backing.
Somalia remains the only East African or Arab League country whose government delegation openly joined the anti-Saudi campaign at the ILC conference.
