Human Right Association Urges Industrial Parks to Combat Labor Abuses

Jun 11 , 2024

A call to establish an independent inspection body within industrial parks and monitor labour practices was made by the Association of Human Rights in Ethiopia. The impact of domestic conflict, human rights violations, and a struggling global economy paints a concerning picture of the country's labour market, according to a report by the Association. The report cites the ongoing conflict in the northern part of the country as a key factor hindering job creation and investment. The report links the recent war to Ethiopia's delisting from the African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA), a blow to its garment industry and a potential source of job losses. While the study does not solely focus on domestic issues, it acknowledges the ongoing pandemic and global recession's negative impact on employability in Ethiopia. These factors, coupled with the internal conflict, create a difficult environment for job seekers. The report reveals a troubling trend of human rights abuses against vulnerable workers and identifies cases of labour exploitation, contract violations, gender-based harassment, and wage theft, particularly in industrial parks and through private employment agencies. The report does not shy away from criticising the current legal framework. It calls for revising laws concerning private employment agencies to better protect workers' rights.