Responses to Information Requests

​​​​​​​Responses to Information Requests (RIRs) are research reports on country conditions. They are requested by IRB decision-makers.

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Responses to Information Requests (RIRs) cite publicly accessible information available at the time of publication and within time constraints. A list of references and additional sources consulted are included in each RIR. Sources cited are considered the most current information available as of the date of the RIR.            

RIRs are not, and do not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Rather, they are intended to support the refugee determination process. More information on the methodology used by the Research Directorate can be found here.          

The assessment and weight to be given to the information in the RIRs are the responsibility of independent IRB members (decision-makers) after considering the evidence and arguments presented by the parties.           

The information presented in RIRs solely reflects the views and perspectives of the sources cited and does not necessarily reflect the position of the IRB or the Government of Canada.          

15 June 2015

SOM105220.E

Somalia: Documents that show evidence that a person was employed by, or had a contract with the government (2010-2015)

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

Information on the types of documents that show that a person was employed by, or had a contract with the government of Somalia was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

1. Contracts and Pay Records for Government Employees and Contractors

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a Senior Civil Affairs Officer with the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) who has worked on civil affairs issues with the Somali government for more than three years, indicated that "[t]o be employed by the government, one has to apply and on acceptance, [employees] are given an appointment letter, which indicates the grade, salary, and department where the person is to work" (AMISOM 12 June 2015). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a senior lecturer in development studies at SOAS, University of London, whose research specializes in the conflict in the Horn of Africa, provided information from a Mogadishu-based government contact employed since 2013 regarding employee and contractor documentation in Somalia (12 June 2015). According to the Senior Lecturer's information, "when a Somali citizen is employed by the government, there are no formal contracts signed between the employer and the employee, however there is an employment registration made with the Civil Service Commission" (11 June 2015). The Senior Lecturer also indicated that lower level contractors may or may not have ID cards [see section below], but "their names should be verified with the Civil Service Commission as the method of payment requires that their name be registered in order to get compensation for their work" (Senior Lecturer 12 June 2015). In terms of how staff are paid, the same source explained that

[o]n a practical level, payments were up to recently paid at ministerial level (finance departments) to all of the staff and such payments can only go to staff who are registered with the Civil Service Commission. As of late, payment of salaries are made at the central bank to government staff and again, the lists they are going by are the ones provided by the ministries and confirmed by the civil service commission. (ibid.)

The same source indicated that there are "no [pay] slips per se provided to the staff" (ibid. 11 June 2015). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. Identity Cards

Sources report that government employees require identity cards, which are issued by the particular institution or department where the staff member works (AMISOM 12 June 2015; Senior Lecturer 11 June 2015). The AMISOM Senior Civil Affairs Officer indicated that ID cards are also issued to contractors providing services to the government and are required by staff "because one cannot move easily in government facilities without being asked questions. The insecurity in Mogadishu encourages thorough scrutiny of persons at all times and, therefore, having an ID is an important requirement" (12 June 2015).

The Senior Lecturer indicated that "the issuing of ID cards is something that started a few years ago and may not be available to people who have worked for previous administrations (those that came before 2012)" or, to state level employees (Senior Lecturer 11 June 2015). Furthermore, the same source indicated

In terms of the ID cards issued to lower level staff, this may not be consistent across the government and many of them may find themselves without any ID cards. (ibid. 12 June 2015)

Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM). 12 June 2015. Correspondence from a Senior Civil Affairs Officer to the Research Directorate.

Senior Lecturer, SOAS, University of London. 12 June 2015. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

_____. 11 June 2015. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: The following were unable to provide information for this Response:

the former head of the Heritage Institute in Mogadishu; Somali Congress of Trade Unions; a former staff member of the Somalia Special Envoy to the United States; UN – UN Development Program (UNDP) Hargeisa.

Attempts to contact the following were unsuccessful within the time constraints of this Response: Center for Research and Dialogue Somalia; Civil Service Institute (Somaliland); Finnish Somalia Network; Heritage Institute in Mogadishu; Mogadishu Law Office; Somalia – Central Bank of Somalia, Civil Service Commission, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Office of the Auditor General of Somalia, Office of the Somalia Special Envoy to the United States of America, Permanent Mission of the Somali Republic to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva; Somali Conflict Early Warning Early Response Unit; UN – International Labour Organisation Country Office for Somalia and Ethiopia, three offices of the UNDP in Somalia and a UNDP civil service specialist; World Bank Group.

Internet sites, including: Africa Confidential; AllAfrica; Amnesty International; ecoi.net; Factiva; Freedom House; Hiiraan; Human Rights Watch; International Crisis Group; International Organisation for Migration; IRIN; Keesing Reference Systems; Norway – Landinfo; Public Administration International; Somalia – Central Bank of Somalia, Radio Muqdisho, Somaligov.net; Somali Congress of Trade Unions; UN – International Labour Organization, Refworld, UNDP; World Bank Group.

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