In the past, successive Somali governments hired or received foreign experts for multi-sector development programs in the Republic. These foreign advisers were treated differently in terms of compensation, standard of living, and accommodation, from native employees doing the same work.
This double-standard continues to date. In the private sector, an Indian or Bangladeshi manual construction worker in Garowe is paid four times more than than his Somali counterpart. Hired Kenyan employees in Somalia have preferential treatment and compensation packages than native employees of the same competence. The private sector, like Somali public services, is infested by nepotism and cronyism. One interculator told us that when business owners couldn’t find suitable or qualified individuals among their respective subclans, they are likely to seek foreign workers instead of hiring someone from rival clans. Amazing! Also, because Somalis are quick in modelling business and enterprises, business owners are afraid of other Somalis imitating them.
One may argue that Somalis are less skilled. However, whose fault is it if potential native workers aren’t given the chance of skill-training.
Because this exercise or mistreatment of the Somali employee has been going on for decades, causing induced psychological impact on the Somali character, he/she could think that they were inferior, contrary to what used to be a proud Somali character, who believed that nothing was higher than him except God. If this double-standard is allowed to continue, the issue could have huge irreversible psychological damage on the Somali character and self-worth.
As a result, in dealing with foreign entities or persons, you would notice that even the leaders of Somalia at all levels of government have double standard – one for their own natives, and the other, for foreign persons. This is a serious issue that needs due attention and studies, for it would affect all Somalis negatively for generations to come.
Warsame Policy & Media Network (WAPMEN) 