Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - Ethiopia (Ratification: 2011)

Article 5(1) of the Convention. Effective tripartite consultations. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide updated detailed information on the content and outcome of the tripartite consultations held on each of the matters covered by Article 5(1) of the Convention, particularly in connection with the re-examination of unratified Conventions, including the unratified governance Conventions. The Government reports that tripartite consultations were held with the social partners (the Ethiopian Employers’ Confederation (EEC), the Ethiopian Industry Employers’ Confederation (EIEC) and the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU) to examine the possibility of ratifying the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81). The Government indicates that it is considering this governance Convention for possible ratification and reports that, to this end, in consultation with the social partners and in collaboration with the ILO, it conducted an assessment and produced a report regarding the labour inspection system in the country. The Government reports that a tripartite consultation was accordingly initiated to examine the possible ratification of Convention No. 81. In this context, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that ILO support is needed to conduct promotional awareness-raising campaign and capacity-building activities. The Government further reports that it has initiated the procedures for ratification of the 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29), which has been submitted to the Council of Ministers, together with an explanatory note that was discussed and agreed upon with the social partners. The Committee notes that the Government does not provide information concerning tripartite consultations held concerning other matters covered by Article 5(1) of the Convention. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide detailed, up-to-date information indicating the content, frequency, and outcomes of the tripartite consultations held on all matters relating to international labour standards covered by Article 5(1) of the Convention, including consultations on the re examination of unratified governance Conventions, including the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81), as well as the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and the Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129) (Article 5(1)(c)) of the Convention).

In the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee recalls the comprehensive guidance provided by international labour standards. It encourages the Government to engage in tripartite consultation and social dialogue more broadly as a solid foundation for developing and implementing effective responses to the profound socio-economic impacts of the pandemic. The Committee invites the Government to provide updated information in its next report on measures taken in this respect, in accordance with Article 4 of the Convention and Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Recommendation No. 152, including with regard to steps taken to build the capacity of the tripartite constituents in the country and strengthen mechanisms and procedures for tripartite consultation and social dialogue, as well as challenges and good practices identified.