Ethiopian workers celebrate May Day this year under a cloud of immense hardship. Soaring inflation is causing them significant stress, while instability across the country creates a climate of fear. Abductions and killings of workers only exacerbate this situation. This harsh reality comes as Ethiopia marks its 49th May Day celebration, coinciding with the 135th international observance of this particular day.
The confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions has been vocal about advocating for key interests of Ethiopian workers since its inception back in the early 1960s. What are the key successes it has secured for workers? Which areas has it failed to deliver? What are the most pressing issues facing Ethiopian workers today?
The Reporter Magazine’s Bewket Abebe sat down with Kassahun Folle, President of the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU). Excerpts:
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Since the Kacha(Sisal) Factory workers’ first organized protest in the late 1950s (1953 E.C.), Ethiopian workers have consistently raised vital questions. What are the most pressing issues confronting workers as you celebrate May Day today?
The Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU) was established on the 9th of April 1963. In its long history of advocating for workers’ rights, it has gone through different challenging times. Some of the key questions it used to raise back in those early years remain unaddressed today.
Which questions continue to plague Ethiopian workers despite decades of struggle?
Organizing workers and securing collective bargaining rights have been persistent challenges in Ethiopia, dating back to CETU’s inception. Employer resistance and a lack of commitment to implementing agreements continue to hinder progress. With only around one million workers organized compared to at least 2.5 million unorganized, the need for stronger worker organization and effective collective bargaining mechanisms remains evident.
While obtaining reliable data on the number of organized workers is likely, how can you get accurate data regarding unorganized workers?
It is simply a rough estimate that considers the labor force in the country. There’s no systematic process for collecting accurate and current data when new industries open and hire workers. We have encountered discrepancies between data from the Investment Commission, the Ministry of Industry, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (now Labor and skills Ministry)
These inconsistencies make obtaining reliable data a challenge. Therefore, the figure of 2.5 million unorganized workers I mentioned is a rough estimate and excludes government civil servants.
Are civil servants not permitted by the law to form unions?
Despite legal guarantees, Ethiopian civil servants are still prohibited from forming unions. This contradicts international law, as Ethiopia ratified International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 87 in 1963. This convention guarantees the right to organize for all workers except military and police personnel, whose rights are determined by national laws. Notably, countries like South Africa and Kenya allow even these groups to form unions.
Furthermore, Ethiopia’s constitution (Article 9) incorporates ratified international conventions into national law. Additionally, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes the right to organize as a fundamental human right.
However, despite these legal protections, Ethiopian civil servants have been denied the right to organize under the last three regimes.
Tell me what practical differences are there between those 1 million who have been privileged to organize and the rest 2.5 million together with the entire civil servants who are not fortunate enough to organize? How significantly have those 1 million been able to secure their interests when compared to the rest?
It is incomparable. Those organized and joined trade unions enjoy practical benefits. Once workers organize, they engage in collective bargaining. This is the formal negotiation process between worker representatives and employers. Through collective bargaining, workers can negotiate their compensation packages, including benefits, salary increases, bonuses, healthcare, education, and even a share of company profits. Bargaining is crucial to securing these benefits, and effective bargaining requires getting organized.
Furthermore, joining trade unions enables workers, through their chosen representatives, to have a voice in company decision-making processes that directly impact them.
But in practice, it is companies who set such compensation packages. Is there any concrete evidence demonstrating unions play a significant real-world impact?
Worker representation in court is a common and practical function of unions. When workers experience injustice, such as unfair termination, their trade union or CETU itself can represent them in court. By acting as their legal representative, the union safeguards and promotes the workers’ best interests in the legal proceedings.
How many cases happen annually? What is the CETU’s average annual caseload?
The number of cases handled varies significantly year to year. Based on the first half of this year, our eight branches have handled a total of 4,017 files. In some years, the total number of cases handled can exceed 7,000 annually. This high volume unfortunately highlights the prevalence of worker mistreatment.
How often is the CETU successful in securing the rights? What is its success rate in resolving cases in favor of workers’ interests?
More than 90 percent, I can say.
As reflected in the theme for this year’s May Day i.e “Urgent Solutions for Instability and Inflation!” a soaring inflation has now become one of the serious pressing issues for many workers. In your assessment, how are Ethiopian workers managing to cope with the current inflationary pressures?
Soaring inflation is creating a desperate situation for Ethiopian workers. We understand the struggles our members go through. In industry parks, for example, typical monthly wages fall between 800 and 1,200 ETB. Can you imagine what one can do with this amount? Can one afford to pay a rent? Can s/he afford a meal a day? Impossible! I am speechless. It’s a truly disheartening condition we are in.
With inflation and a 35 percent tax deduction, even salaries of university professors barely cover living expenses.
Currently, Ethiopia faces various security challenges. In situations where worker safety is compromised, such as abduction or killings, What role does CETU play (to curb this)? How does it intervene?
Unfortunately, these types of incidents are becoming increasingly common. Just last month, five workers from the Wonche Sugar Factory were killed and around 60 from the Mugher Cement Factory were taken hostage. Metehara, in particular, seems to be a hotspot for such abductions. Such a growing trend is really depressing, and there is little we can do in such cases.
CETU has been vocal about advocating for a reduction in income tax for workers and establishing a minimum wage. You personally met at least two Ethiopian Prime Ministers at different times; former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and current Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Can you elaborate on your discussions with them?
The concerns are different from time to time. Back in the day during H.E Hailemariam’s time, our concerns were about a draft law being prepared to be issued. We participated in discussions, but then we learned they were crafting their own version, ignoring our input. We wanted our concerns and suggestions incorporated into the final law. This situation made us prepare to fight for our rights.
The proposed law was harsh. It mandated automatic termination of employees for a single day’s absence and two late arrivals. This hidden proposal was what truly horrified us.
We planned a comprehensive response. We divided workers across the country into eleven groups, designated leadership contingencies, and even set a 15-day warning deadline. Prime Minister Hailemariam eventually reached out to me, promising to assign three ministers to address our concerns. He pledged to personally intervene if they failed.
He advised against a strike, assuring us the government wouldn’t enact the law without our input. We agreed to talks, However, progress stalled, and a regime change occurred.
As for the meeting with PM Abiy, we met in September 2023. We pressed for greater government transparency and addressed pressing issues, including the soaring inflation impacting workers and the need to reinstate the advisory board.
From your discussions with the Prime Minister, what did you learn about his views on income tax reduction and the implementation of a minimum wage?
I do not know where the disconnect comes from. While our previous official letters went unanswered, our in-person encounter proved highly productive and engaging. We had the opportunity to raise specific concerns, and the Prime Minister seemed receptive to all of our requests. The discussion was friendly and far more positive than we anticipated.
The Prime Minister gave direction for the immediate reinstatement of the advisory board. Additionally, he assigned specific tasks: income tax reduction issue to the Justice Minister (Gedion Timotiwos, PhD) and minimum wage to the Ministry of Labor and Skills.
What concrete actions followed your discussions with the Prime Minister?
Following the Prime Minister’s instructions, we contacted the Justice Minister regarding the income tax issue. He promised a response after gathering information with concerned officials on the case’s status. Unfortunately, despite our wait, the promised update never arrived. We had to submit an official letter to the Minister, but we have not received a reply yet.
On a positive note, to restoration of the advisory board has been successfully implemented following the direction given by the PM and the board is now operational.
