Our History
Who We Are
Somalia Plantation & Agricultural Workers Union was founded in 1955 to help the workers address their rights and monopolistic practices.
SPAWU came together again in 2011 after the civil war and has been working since 2011 to protect and enhance the worker’s right and quality of life through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.
The beginnings of Somalia Agricultural Workers Union (SPAWU) can be traced back to 1955 when the Somalia Industrial Workers Union (SIWU) was founded. The Union played a large role in a strike in 197 by workers on a number of regions in the Shabelle and Jubba regions. The workers were protesting against the cut and load system, they were calling for the recognition of the SPAWU, and for improvement of their wages and living and working conditions
SPAWU came together again in 2011 after the civil war and has been working since 2011 to protect and enhance the worker’s right and quality of life through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.
SPAWU represents workers in all federal member states, with organized divisions in the 18 provinces. The SPAWU continues to organize in major agricultural industries across the nation. The key to the success and credibility of the organization has been agriculture workers Union’s grassroots structure in which policy positions are initiated locally. The policy process includes the presentation of resolutions by individuals, followed by possible adoption of the resolutions at the local, federal member states and national levels. Members and staff of the Farmers Union advocate these policy positions nationwide.
Somalia Plantation & Agricultural Workers Union believes that good opportunities in production agriculture are the foundation of strong farms. Strong farms and workers are the basis for thriving communities. Vibrant rural communities, in turn, are vital to the health, security and economic well-being of our entire national economy.
The right of workers to form and join trade unions is provided for in the Constitution of the Somali federal government which states, in Article 23-24, that no person should be hindered in the enjoyment of freedom of conscience, of expression and of assembly and association. Article 24 part 5 states: “Except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of assembly and association, that is to say, his right to assemble freely and associate with other persons and in particular to form or belong to trade unions or other associations for the protection of his interests”