Jubaland state has rolled out a series of key policy initiatives aimed at strengthening governance and public welfare across the region.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs tabled a wide-ranging proposal to regulate work permits for foreign employees operating in the semi-autonomous Somali state.

The plan includes the creation of an inter-ministerial committee tasked with assessing the qualifications and legal compliance of foreign workers.

This is aimed at ensuring they meet national labour laws and standards.

The President of Somalia’s semi-autonomous Jubaland State, Ahmed Mohamed Islam, chaired the latest weekly Council of Ministers meeting, where his administration outlined a series of policy priorities.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry also unveiled plans to tighten quality control for imported food and pharmaceutical products, aiming to bolster inspections and safeguard public health.

The ministry stressed the urgent need to bolster inspection protocols at entry points to protect consumers and prevent substandard goods from reaching the market.

In many parts of Somalia, substandard goods are a serious problem. They include fake medicines, expired food, and poor-quality products.

These goods often enter through unregulated ports and informal trade routes. Many escape inspection.

Weak regulations have made the situation worse. Quality control agencies have little funding and few trained staff while market checks are rare.

Products often have no labels and safety certificates leaving consumers unable to tell if items are genuine and safe.

The meeting also heard from the Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction, and Housing, which announced a strategic resettlement programme for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The initiative aims to provide nearly 5,000 vulnerable families with access to basic services and dignified housing, a move the government says will contribute to stability and economic recovery.

Jubaland State House said the measures reflect the growing focus of the administration on sustainable development, social protection and the rule of law in a region still grappling with the effects of conflict and displacement.