MOGADISHU, Somalia, May 17 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) today welcomed 14 new member journalists from Nation FM Radio, becoming the largest number of journalists who have joined the union in a single day.

Nation FM Radio becomes thefirst local media house where all journalists jointhe union to guarantee the protection of the journalists’ human rights and the labor rights by ensuring that every journalist gets an employment contract. Employment contracts not only ensure job security for media workers, but also help put an end to the precarious work situation for journalists.

At an event in Mogadishu on Monday, SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin and Nation FM Radio Director Abdul Shakur Mohamud saw reporters, editors and producers of the radio station sign the union membership forms.

Fa’isa Abdi Warsame (right) was elected as a union representative for Nation FM Radio. (PHOTO/ SJS)

During the event, a renowned young journalist, Fa’isa Abdi Warsamewas electedas a union representative for Nation FM Radio after defeating her male contester, Mohamed Nur Fanah with six out of 10 votes.

"Today is a historic day. We are here to announce that all Nation FM Radio employees have joined SJS. It is a victory for Nation FM Radio which has felt the importance of joining the journalists’ union. We believe that we are now better protected and that we can collectively defend our rights through the union,” said Nation FM Radio director Abdul Shakur Mohamud.

SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin (right) and Nation FM Radio Director, Abdul Shakur Mohamud (left) speak during the event on Monday, 17 May 2021. (PHOTO/SJS).

"We are pleased that SJS has accepted our participation in union activities after Nation FM Radio staff have met their requirements as full members of SJS,” added Abdul Shakur.

For his part, SJS General Secretary Abdalle Ahmed Mumin officially welcomed the new members, urging them to unite and work together to defend their trade union rights.

Mr. Mumin also announced that SJS has started the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process and is working with Nation FM Radio employees, other media houses and their employers to expedite the signing of the CBA to protect journalists’ union rights.

SJS Gender Secretary, Hinda Dahir (right) and SJS Labour Rights Secretary, Fathi Mohamed (left) congratulate Faisa Abdi Warsame (centre) shortly after he election victory. (PHOTO/ SJS). SJS Gender Secretary, Hinda Dahir (right) and SJS Labour Rights Secretary, Fathi Mohamed (left) congratulate Faisa Abdi Warsame (centre) shortly after he election victory. (PHOTO/ SJS).

"Today we have achieved one of the major goals of the trade union movement. SJS has always championed the protection of journalists— both freedom of expression and the trade union rights. While I welcome our new members— male and female— I want to say that your membership means a lot to SJS and to our press freedom campaign across the country. I encourage you to unite and defend your rights collectively,” said Mumin.