Ethiopia, Jordan sign workers’ rights protection agreement

Addis Ababa, July 12, 2023 (FBC) – The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan have signed an agreement on protection of the rights and interests of Ethiopian nationals working in Jordan.

Ethiopia’s Minister of Labor and Skills, Muferihat Kamil, in a post on her social media page, stated that they have signed an agreement with the Jordanian government to protect the rights and interests of Ethiopians working in Jordan.

Recalling the presence of 33,000 Ethiopian nationals in Jordan, the Minister mentioned that their discussion also focused on the International Labor Organization (ILO)’s employment relationship requirements, wage increases, safe working environments, medical care and insurance.

In addition, they have reached an agreement with Yousef Al Shamali, the Jordanian Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, on the draft agreement document presented by the negotiating experts of the two countries on issues pertaining to employees’ working hours and rest, Muferihat confirmed.

Including Ethiopian nationals engaged in domestic service in Jordan to date, Minister Muferihat said that the agreement focuses on the sending of newly trained and skilled manpower for the first time to the Kingdom.

The agreement also includes the obligation of raising the wages of Ethiopians every year, it is mentioned.

In addition, the Minister said that the agreement will be monitored and renewed depending on the discussions between the two countries, taking into account the changing situations that occur every now and then.

Apart from the employment relationship, the agreement is said to strengthen Ethiopia’s longstanding diplomatic and people-to-people relations and cooperation with Jordan and its people, she said.