Regulatory Guidelines and Legislative Regulation for Private Employment Agencies (PEAs)

This report outlines a comprehensive framework established by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia, with support from the International Labour Organization, to manage the licensing, operation, and oversight of private recruitment agencies. Published in 2026, the regulation focuses on promoting safe, orderly, and regular labor migration while safeguarding the rights, dignity, and welfare of Somali jobseekers both domestically and overseas. The text highlights strict registration requirements, including a 51% Somali ownership mandate, a minimum capital requirement of USD 60,000, and a USD 25,000 financial guarantee deposited at the Central Bank of Somalia, alongside a firm prohibition on charging recruitment fees directly to workers. Additionally, the report details crucial agency obligations regarding ethical advertising, standardized written employment contracts, mandatory periodic data reporting, and adherence to rigorous compliance inspections and enforcement penalties designed to prevent worker exploitation and illegal recruitment practices.