Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Addis Standard
Published on 2024-02-21 10:21:21
The Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU) is taking action to urge Ethiopia to sign four key International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions that have not yet been ratified. These conventions include decent work for domestic workers, workplace violence and harassment, protections for migrant workers, and the rights of migrant workers. By signing these conventions, Ethiopia could protect the human and labor rights of workers and make them more effective in their activities.
Kassahun Follo, the President of CETU, emphasized the importance of Convention 189, which focuses on the better organization of domestic workers. He stated that organizing domestic workers into unions would allow them to conduct their vital work in a more integrated and efficient way. Kassahun called on federal, regional, and local bodies to contribute to the practical ratification of these conventions in Ethiopia.
The partnership campaign initiated by CETU has received support from various stakeholders. Tadele Yimer, President of the Ethiopian Employers’ Federation, expressed the federation’s full commitment to pushing these conventions forward for formal adoption. Additionally, representatives from the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have pledged their support to CETU’s campaign to urge the ratification of these conventions.
Tekalign Ayalew (PhD), Director of Labor Affairs at the Ministry of Labor and Skills, confirmed the ministry’s respect for CETU’s work and pledged to add ratification deliberations of all four conventions to the next executive advisory agenda concerning employers, employees, and governmental policy.
In April 2022, CETU made a call asking the government to ratify these International labor laws. The organization hopes that this new partnership campaign will raise awareness and strengthen the efforts to urge the Ethiopian government to sign these important ILO conventions.
By integrating these international labor standards into national legislation, Ethiopia has the opportunity to improve protections for workers and align its labor laws with globally recognized standards. This could have a positive impact on the working conditions and rights of workers across the country.
CETU’s efforts highlight the importance of international labor standards and the need for countries to ratify and implement these conventions to protect workers’ rights. As CETU continues to advocate for the ratification of these key ILO conventions, it hopes to bring about lasting positive change for workers in Ethiopia and support the effective implementation of labor laws that uphold fundamental human and labor rights.
Overall, the partnership campaign initiated by CETU is an important step in raising awareness and urging the Ethiopian government to prioritize the ratification of these critical ILO conventions. As stakeholders and supporters come together to champion this cause, there is hope that Ethiopia will take the necessary steps to align its labor laws with international standards, ultimately benefiting workers across the country.
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