Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Ethiopia (Ratification: 1963)

With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report and notes, in particular, that the transitional Government of Ethiopia has set up a committee that will revise the labour legislation in the light of the new developments in the country which include the new economic policy and the charter of the transitional Government.

While noting these developments, the Committee refers to its previous comments - particularly its detailed observation of 1989 - and points out that the discrepancies between the legislation and the Convention concern the following points, in relation to Proclamations Nos. 148, 222 and 223 and the Labour Proclamation of 1975:

- the organisation of workers and peasants into a single trade union system imposed by legislation;

- the obligation upon workers' trade unions and peasants' associations to disseminate among workers the Government's development plans and Marxist-Leninist theory, and to apply the political and economic directives of the higher authorities;

- the formulation of the rules of workers' organisations and peasants' associations by the higher trade union organisations referred to by name in the legislation;

- the right of affiliation to international organisations, which is reserved to the All-Ethiopia Trade Union;

- restrictions on the right to strike;

- the non-recognition of trade union rights for public servants and domestic staff;

- the right of workers, including self-employed persons associated in cooperatives, and the right of employers to establish occupational organisations of their own choosing, including organisations outside the existing structure, if they so wish, in accordance with the principles set out in the Convention.

The Committee trusts once again that the new labour legislation, giving effect to the Convention and taking account the above comments and its previous observations, will be adopted at an early date. It requests the Government to transmit a copy of it as soon as it is adopted.

[The Government is asked to supply full particulars to the Conference at its 79th Session.]