In Somalia, decent work – known locally as Shaqo Sharaf Leh – represents a fundamental shift in how we think about employment. More than just creating jobs, it’s about ensuring work provides true dignity, security, and opportunity. Within Somalia’s evolving economy, understanding and implementing the principles of decent work addresses a critical dimension: the quality and dignity of employment itself. This holistic view recognizes that sustainable progress requires not just more jobs, but better jobs – ones that uphold dignity across economic, social, and community dimensions. Success isn’t measured by traditional metrics alone, but by how work enriches lives, strengthens communities, and builds lasting pathways to prosperity.
The narrative surrounding Somalia’s youth often focuses on the scarcity of jobs – and with youth unemployment at 67%, this concern is real. However, the challenge runs even deeper. Over 60% of employed youth report working in conditions that fail to meet basic decent work standards, revealing a profound “decent work deficit.” This isn’t just about who has jobs, but about the quality of those jobs – whether they provide dignity, security, and a foundation for sustainable livelihoods.
Creating pathways to decent work for youth isn’t just about economics – it’s about building the foundations of a stable, prosperous Somalia. When young people have access to dignified work, the benefits ripple throughout society:
We believe true decent work in Somalia must provide dignity across three essential dimensions:
