14 March 2013; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA (ILO news): The Government of Ethiopia and the International Labour Organization (ILO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Addis Ababa to implement an EU-funded project designed to develop a tripartite framework for the support and protection of Ethiopian women domestic migrant workers to the GCC States (Gulf Cooperation Council which includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait), Lebanon and Sudan.

Under this agreement, with the financial support from European Commission, the Project aims to contribute to Ethiopia’s efforts to strengthening the policy and operational framework to ensure safe and legal migration of Domestic Workers to GCC States and improve protection and reintegration of returnees as part of the national socio-economic development agenda.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLSA), the Ethiopian Employers’ Federation and the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions will work closely with the ILO as well as with other local partners to:

1. To develop a coherent framework of migration policy across national boundaries in order to ensure that rights of domestic workers from Ethiopia are protected

2. To streamline and de-centralize the migration process in the country of origin and strengthen reception, oversight and monitoring process in receiving countries

3. To provide domestic workers with relevant information and substantive training prior to departure and on return home to ensure their reintegration.

To ensure national ownership, the project will be guided by a National Steering Committee (NSC) that will be composed of higher officials MOLSA, EEF, CETU, members of anti-trafficking taskforce and other relevant stakeholders and chaired by MOLSA.

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For more detailed info:

ILO Country Office for Ethiopia and Somalia: please contact

Kidist Chala, kidist@ilo.org, Tel: 251 115 444416;