Ministry of Labour (Somaliland)
| Wasiirka Wasaaradda Shaqada、Arrimaha Bulshada & Qoyska MoLSAF | |
| Ministry overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2010 |
| Jurisdiction | Somaliland |
| Headquarters | Maroodi Jeex, Hargeisa 9°33′51″N 44°02′56″E / 9.56417°N 44.04889°E |
| Minister responsible |
|
| Website | mesaf |
| Footnotes | |
| Ministry of Labour on Facebook | |
| Somaliland portal |
The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Republic of Somaliland (MoLSAF) (Somali: Wasaarada Shaqada iyo Arrimaha Bulshada Somaliland) (Arabic: وزارة العمل والشؤون الاجتماعية والأسرية) is a ministry of the Somaliland cabinet which is concerned by for setting national labour standards, employment, workforce participation, family affairs and social services. The current minister is Milgo Mohamed Elmi [1]
Changes in Ministry Names
Ministry of Health and Labour
In July 2003, Kisman Qasim Qodah was appointed Minister of Health and Labour (Somali: Wasiirka Wasaaradda Caafimaadka iyo Shaqada). This led to the creation of a ministry bearing the name “Labor.”[2]
Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
In July 2010, Ilhan Mahamed Jama was appointed Minister of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLSA, Somali: Wasiirka Wasaaradda Shaqada iyo Arrimaha Bulshada). [3] This Ministry was established through the merger of the former Ministry of Family and the Directorate of Labour, the latter of which had previously operated under the Ministry of Health.[4]
Ministry of Employment, Social Affairs and Family
In December 2017, Hinda Jama Hersi was appointed Minister of Employment, Social Affairs and Family (MESAF, Somali: Wasiirka Wasaaradda Shaqogalinta, Arrimaha Bulshada iyo Qoyska.) [5] In Somali, shaqada refers to work itself, while shaqo-gelinta refers to employment creation.[6][7]
Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family
In December 2024, Irro, newly elected President of Somaliland, appointed Milgo Mahamed Ilmi (Sambaloshe) as Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, and Family (MOLSAF, Somali: Wasiirka Wasaaradda Shaqada, Arrimaha Bulshada & Qoyska).[8]
History
In April 2011, the Government of Somaliland reported its achievements for the previous three months, stating that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs had completed the first draft of a Family Law based on Sharia, formulated a national policy on female genital mutilation (FGM), established a rehabilitation and protection centre for street children, begun implementation of the National Gender Policy, facilitated recruitment to positions in international and domestic organisations, promoted vocational training programmes, and established a labour safety unit within the Directorate of Labour to supervise labour conditions.[4]
As of 2016, the UK-based FGM/C Research Initiative reported that the Ministry of Labour, which responsible for gender issues in Somaliland, had not yet reached agreement on a national policy or strategy for the eradication of FGM.[9]
In July 2017, the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs stated that many companies and institutions in Somaliland were violating the Civil Labour Law, including the requirement that vacant posts be advertised in national newspapers for at least two weeks and that recruitment be conducted by a committee including representatives of the employer and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.[10]
In September 2018, the Rape and Sexual Offences Act was brought into force. The House of Elders and the House of Representatives were reportedly at odds over the act, which was described as having generated major controversy on the grounds that it was contrary to Islam.[11] Then, this act was enacted, but was reportedly suspended and was not effectively implemented in practice.[12] In 2020, a new act incorporating the views of religious leaders and traditional elders was introduced, but Somaliland Women in Law criticized it as violating the Constitution of Somaliland and international human rights law and as placing girls and women at great risk.[13]
In October 2018, the Somaliland Minister of Labour submitted a letter to the Supreme Court of Somaliland requesting a review of a decision issued by the Ministry of Labour earlier in 2018 in a dispute between the African Relief Committee and two teachers, which had ruled in favour of the teachers following a complaint by the African Relief Committee. The minister also requested a review of another case involving the African Relief Committee and a different teacher, in which the Maroodi-Jeex Regional Court had issued a judgment in August 2018 in favour of the teacher. Hiiraan Online noted that the reasons for the minister’s intervention in decisions that had already been issued by the courts were unclear.[14]
In November 2018, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs announced that three foreign workers had been deported for working in positions that Somaliland citizens were capable of performing.[15]
In May 2021, the European Union launched two projects in Somaliland in cooperation with the Ministry of Employment, Social Affairs and Family to reduce violence against women and girls and female genital mutilation (FGM). The projects, implemented by the NGOs Candlelight and Health Poverty Action, aim to combat sexual and gender-based violence and FGM through community-based awareness activities and by strengthening the rights of women and girls. Rape, early marriage, and FGM remain widespread in Somaliland, where an estimated 99 percent of women aged 15–49 have undergone FGM. The Somaliland government has also established an inter-ministerial task force to develop a zero-tolerance policy on FGM.[16]
In September 2024, the Ministry of Employment, Social Affairs and Family (MESAF) hosted a two-day Linking and Learning Forum with support from Options' The Girl Generation programme and ActionAid International Somaliland. During the forum, the President of Somaliland formally approved the signing of the Somaliland National Anti-FGM Policy by the Minister of Employment, Social Affairs and Family, strengthening Somaliland's efforts towards a zero-tolerance stance on FGM/C.[17]
Ministers
| Image | Minister | Somali Name | Term start | Term end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ilhan Mahamed Jama | Ilhaan Maxamed Jaamac | July 2010[18] | March 2013[19] | |
| Mahamud Ahmed Barre | Maxamuud Axmed Barre (Garaad) | March 2013[19] | ||
| Mahamed Abdilahi Obsiye | Maxamed Cabdillaahi Obsiiye | December 2016[20] | ||
| Hinda Jama Hersi (Gani/Gaani) | Hinda Jaamac Xirsi | December 2017[5] | January 2021[21] | |
| Mustafe Mohamoud Ali (Bile) | Mustafe Maxamuud Cali (Biile) | January 2021[21] | January 2023[22] | |
| Ali Omar Mohamed (Ali Khoor-Hoor) | Cali Cumar Maxamed (Cali Xoor-xoor) | January 2023[22] | ||
| Milgo Mohamed Elmi (Sambalooshe) | Milgo Maxamed Cilmi (Sanbalooshe) | December 2024[8] |
See also
References
- ^ "About the Ministry". Ministry of Labour Social Affairs and Family. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
- ^ "Hargeysa (Haatuf) Madaxweynaha Somaliland ayaa shalay dhamastiray dhismaha xukuumadiisa cusub" [President of Somaliland yesterday completed his new cabinet]. Haatuf News. 2003-07-04. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ^ "Wasiirka Shaqada iyo Arrimaha Bulshada ee Somaliland Soo Bandhigay Xad-Gudubyo ka Dhan ah Xeerka Shaqaalaha Rayidka Ah" [Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of Somaliland Exposes Violations Against the Civil Service Law]. Araweelo News Network. 10 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2022-01-26.
- ^ a b "Xukuumadda Somaliland Oo Qoraal Kusoo Bandhigatay Waxqabadkeeda Saddexdii Bilood Ee U Danbeeyay Qafraad" [The Government of Somaliland Presented in Writing Its Achievements of the Last Three Months]. Araweelo News (in Somali). Archived from the original on 2021-04-11. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ^ a b "New President Names 32 Cabinet Ministers". Horn Diplomat. 2017-12-14.
- ^ "English–Somali dictionary: work / job". OpenTran. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ "English–Somali dictionary: put in / employment". OpenTran. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ a b "Wareegtooyin Madaxweyne" [Presidential Decrees] (in Somali). Government of Somaliland. 2024-12-16. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ Somaliland Country Profile: Key Findings (PDF) (Report). FGM/C Research Initiative. March 2019. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ^ "Somaliland: Wasiirka Shaqada iyo Arrimaha Bulshada Oo Soo Bandhigay Xad-gudubyo ka Dhan ah Xeerka Shaqaalaha Rayidka Ah" [Somaliland: The Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Presented Violations Against the Civil Labour Law]. Araweelo News Network (in Somali). 2017-07-10. Archived from the original on 2022-01-26. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ^ "Akhriso: Xeer Ka Hor-imanaya Diinta Islaamka Oo Muran Xooggan Ka Dhex Abuuray Labada Golle Baarlamaan Ee Wakillad Iyo Guurtida" [Read: A Law Contrary to Islam That Created Strong Controversy Between the House of Representatives and the House of Elders]. Somaliland Today (in Somali). 2018-09-03. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ "Human Rights Centre releases 2018 annual report". Somaliland Standard. 2018-12-31. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ "Somaliland: Statement against the approved Rape and Fornication Bill". Somaliland Standard. 2020-09-03. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ "Wasiirka Shaqo-gelinta Somaliland oo xukun maxkamaddi soo saartay doonaysa in dib loogu noqdo dacwaddii" [Somaliland Minister of Employment Seeks Review of Court Judgment]. Hiiraan Online (in Somali). 2018-10-07. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ^ "Wasaaradda Arrimaha Bulshada oo DP World kala shiraysa shaqaalaysiinta muwaadiniinta dalkana ka mastaafurisay 3 qof oo ajaanib ah" [Ministry of Social Affairs to Discuss Employment of Citizens with DP World and Deports Three Foreign Nationals]. Somaliland Today (in Somali). 2018-11-29. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ "EU launches two gender-related projects in Somaliland". Horn Observer. 2021-05-06. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ "A historic breakthrough: Somaliland signs national anti female genital mutilation policy". Options. 2024-11-06. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ "Somaliland oo magacowday Dowladda cusub" [Somaliland appoints the new government]. BBC News, Somali (in Somali). Retrieved 2026-03-03.
- ^ a b "Madaxweyne Ahmed Silanyo Oo Isku-Shaandhayn Ku Sameeyay Golihiisa Xukuumadda" [President Ahmed Silanyo reshuffled his cabinet]. Saxafi Media (in Somali). 2012-03-14. Archived from the original on 2019-07-19. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
- ^ "Wasaaradda Shaqo-gelinta, Arrimaha Bulshada iyo Qoyska Cabinet Appointment Document 2021" [Ministry of Employment, Social Affairs and Family Cabinet Appointment Document 2021]. Government of Somaliland. Archived from the original on 2022-01-26. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ^ a b "Madaxweynaha Somaliland oo sameeyay xilka qaadis & Magacaabis" [Somaliland president makes dismissals and appointments]. Radio Risaala (in Somali). 2021-01-10.
- ^ a b "Madaxweye Muuse Biixi oo xil ka qaadis & magacaabis ku sameeyay qaar kamid ah wasiirada xukuumadiisa" [President Muse Bihi reshuffles and dismisses some members of his cabinet]. Horseed Media (in Somali). 4 January 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2025.