Ethiopia’s Labor Union Fighting For Workers In The Private Sector 

Borkena

Toronto – The Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU) is speaking out for workers in the private sector after Abiy Ahmed’s government last week announced a salary increment and minimum pay for employees in the public sector. 

Kassahun Follo, president of the union, is saying that the pay condition of those working in the private sector needs urgent response from the government. 

The monthly wage for labour in the private sector is only 1500 Ethiopian  birr which is much less than $15 U.S. with the existing rate of exchange. 

The government has not yet decided on the minimum wage for workers in the private sector. The President of the Union questions why that is the case, according to a report from TIKVAH Ethiopia. 

The president made a reference to legislation 1156/2011 – which governs workers pay in the private and public sector.  As per the legislation, a Salary Board was to be established to assess the market situation in relation to the minimum wages and make research based decisions. It is not yet established.

 “We have been demanding for the establishment of the board since the announcement of the proclamation and we are demanding,” Kasshun Follo is quoted as saying. 

He added that “the government took initiative to increase public servants’ salaries. Likewise the Salary Board should be urgently formed  and determine the minimum wage. Otherwise, these workers are not living in the first place. A worker who is paid 1500 [birr] under no miracle could make it to the end of the month.”  Workers in Ethiopia get pay every month. 

From the report, the government had a conversation with employers in the private sector before the legislation was enacted. Some businesses are even inquiring why the formation of the Board is delayed, according to Kassahun. 

He anticipates the government would announce the minimum wage for in the upcoming Ethiopian year – 2018.  He criticized the government that getting regulation on this should not have taken more than seven years and still waiting. “Workers in the private sector are also citizens,” he asserted. 

The Ethiopian government last week announced a salary increment which is to be implemented starting September.  However, the increment benefited highly paid government employees more than low income employees.  The highest paid public servants got 81 percent pay raise while the low paid workers ( which was $4760 birr) got only 26 percent raise. 

__

Support Borkena  : https://borkena.com/subscribe-borkena/

Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena

Like borkena on Facebook

To submit Press Release, send submission to info@borkena.com

Add your business to Ethiopian Business Listing / Ethiopian Business Directory  

Join the conversation. Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter)  @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly.