Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) - Ethiopia (Ratification: 1991)

1. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest the information in the Government’s report of this year, including a copy of a document entitled "Occupational Safety and Health Directive 2003" by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. While the content of this document represents a promising development in this area, the Committee notes that the Government refers thereto as a "draft Directive on OSH" and that its status therefore remains unclear. The Committee asks the Government to clarify the status of the Occupational Safety and Health Directive 2003 and - if this is draft legislation - to indicate whether it has been adopted and, in that case, to transmit a copy thereof to the Committee as soon as it has been adopted.

2. Article 1, paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Adequate protection to public servants. The Committee also notes with interest that, in reply to previous comments on this issue, the Government indicates that two new laws - Proclamations No. 377/2003 (amending Labour Proclamation No. 42/1993) and Proclamation No. 262/2002 on "public civil servants" ­- have been adopted, ensuring the safety, health and welfare of public servants. The Government did not, however, include copies thereof in its report. The Committee requests the Government to submit to it copies of Proclamation Nos. 377/2003 and 262/2002, as well as any other relevant legislation that may have been adopted subsequently to enable the Committee to examine the application of this Convention in the country.

3. Technical assistance. The Committee notes the interest of the Government in receiving technical assistance from the Office to develop structures for effective cooperation at the institutional level in the country and to improve its system of labour inspection and expresses the hope that a request would be along those lines.