Contentious Labour Agreement Moves to Standing Committee

Oct 23 , 2023


Parliamentarians greenlight the Ethiopian and Lebanon bilateral labour agreement treaty for further scrutiny by the Human Resource Development, Employment & Technology Affairs Standing Committee chaired by Negeri Lencho(PhD). The agreement was inked between the Labour ministers of the two countries, Muferihat Kamil of Ethiopia and Moustafa Bayram of Lebanon in April. The treaty received unanimous votes for supervision by the relevant standing committee, with some MPs lauding its capacity to decrease illegal migration. Meanwhile, Ethiopian workers in Lebanon are mainly employed as housemaids, with rights groups constantly pointing out labour rights infringements under the relentless Kafala system that holds their passports during their stay. While MPs did not mention their case, Afena Efa (PhD) indicated that the new treaty lacks a minimum wage stipulation, which could further subject Ethiopian workers to low pay unchartered of most bilateral labour agreements. "We've seen this before," Afena proclaimed. Another MP, Ayele Negeri, pointed out the importance of clearly defining the terms and conditions of living permits to expand the protection of workers despite the treaty stipulating the creation of a joint committee to oversee implementation. Parliamentarian Sadiq Adem quickly pointed out that there is no need for a joint committee if a functional embassy exists. Ethiopia does not have an Embassy in Lebanon but a council office to handle its diplomatic dealings.


Radar

Parliament Nods for Cabinet Appointments

Federal legislators have approved five cabinet-level positions last week with a member of Parliament (MP) voted against and two abstentions were counted. Gedion Timotheos (PhD) leads the charge as the new minister of Foreign Affairs, filling in Taye Asqeselassie's shoes, where he stayed briefly before becoming the country's president. With law degrees from Addis Abeba and Central European universities, Gedion was previously Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Joining him in the redev...


Radar

Abyssinia Group Eyes Expansion with IFC Funding

Abyssinia Group of Industries (AGI), a leading East African steel producer, is poised for significant expansion owing to a proposed investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) which is considering a financing package of up to 50 million dollars, including parallel loans in local currency. Headquartered in Kenya, AGI operates two steel plants in Ethiopia, six in Kenya, and has mining activities in Uganda. AGI currently produces 660,000 metric tons of steel annually and employs...


Radar

Fitch Acknowledges Easing Financial Pressures, Enhanced Macroeconomic Stability

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Ethiopia's Long-Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating (LTLC IDR) to 'CCC+' from 'CCC-', citing easing financing pressures, improved macroeconomic stability, and increased confidence that local-currency obligations will not be part of the ongoing debt restructuring. This positive development comes as the government implements key reforms and secures renewed concessional external financing. The ratings agency has taken note of the introduction of a market-based ex...


Back
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email