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Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156) - Ethiopia (RATIFICATION: 1991)

Article 3. National policy. The Committee notes the Government’s general indication that it has taken note of its comments regarding equality of opportunity and treatment of workers with family responsibilities and that these comments will be duly considered in any future policies or programmes. The Committee reiterates its request to the Government to take steps to address the issue of equality for workers with family responsibilities in the framework of a national policy. The Committee urges once again the Government to take specific steps to ensure that any policies or programmes adopted to give effect to the Convention apply to men as well as to women with family responsibilities on an equal footing, and reiterates its request for information on any progress made in this regard.

Article 4. Leave entitlements. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that in addition to the existing entitlements under the Labour Proclamation No. 377/2003, it is envisaged in the ongoing process of amending the Labour Proclamation to make provision for paternity leave. The Government also indicates that, to the extent possible, every effort will be made to further intensify the protective measures for workers with family responsibilities. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the content and coverage of the relevant draft provisions to amend the Labour Proclamation to provide for paternity leave, and hopes that they will be adopted in the near future.

Article 5. Childcare and family services and facilities. The Committee notes that the Government generally indicates that provisions explicitly encouraging the development of childcare and family services will be included in the revised Labour Proclamation. Recalling that workers with family responsibilities need help to deal with the issue of childcare, the Committee requests the Government to supply information on existing community structures to support workers with family responsibilities, such as childcare facilities and services, whether public or private, including information on their number, their capacity, etc. It also requests the Government to provide information on the content and coverage of the relevant draft provisions to amend the Labour Proclamation to which it referred in its report, and hopes that they will be adopted in the near future.

Article 6. Information and education. The Committee notes that the Government reiterates that the social partners are provided with training programmes covering labour rights and practices, and that various public awareness programmes are being conducted focusing on the general public. The Committee requests once again the Government to provide specific information on any training and awareness-raising activities undertaken to specifically promote information and understanding of the principle of equality of opportunity and treatment, and of the problems faced by workers with family responsibilities. It also asked the Government to give examples of activities carried out among the social partners, workers, employers, and the general public.