By: Latifa Yusuf Masai
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The government is on accelerated plans to diffuse unemployment among skilled youths prevailing in the country.
This was revealed by the minister of labour and Social services ML&SS Dr Abdi Aw Dahir in Hargeisa where he also informed that his ministry intends to put a choke on recruitment of foreigners for jobs that can be performed by citizens.
“We are establishing a register of unemployed youths and that of expatriates in the whole country” said Dr Aw Dahir adding that data accrued from the exercise shall facilitate ease of identifying jobs that can be handled without external recruitment.
Stating that the move is not one geared towards disfranchising expatriate labour in the country the minister argued that while required expertise can be procured outside duties in which skills are available locally should not be availed foreigners.
Stressing on the fact the ML&SS is not a job creator but policy maker Dr Aw Dahir said that the bridging part of his ministry between employer and employee shall be strengthened and “Come year 2016 not only will a full register be in place but regular follow-ups as per working conditions, remunerations and rights shall be pursued”
On the other hand, the state had on various occasions in the past stated intent to register expatriates latest being in august 2013 when predecessor to Dr Aw Dahir said All private sector employers, International and Local NGOs as well as UN bodies are asked to register their employees both local and Expatriates” a plan that appears to have been a non- starter.
Somaliland which produces thousands of graduates annually is engulfed by lack of gainful employment opportunities that results in the massive illegal movement by skilled youths to European and other countries which raises fears of not only the damage caused to families through deaths in the Sahara desert but future brain drain.
