Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

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 last report and, in particular, that Ethiopia has now adopted a new economic policy based on a mixed system combining private and state property and co-operatives. This economic reform involves a re-examination of the new draft Labour Code, which is soon to be adopted by the national assembly (the National Shengo), since the committee that was set up to review it has now finished its work and submitted its opinion to the State Council.

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 personnel;

- the right of workers, including self-employed persons associated in co-operatives, 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 that a new Labour Code, giving effect to the Convention and taking account of the above comments and its previous observations, will be adopted rapidly. 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 78th Session and to report in detail for the period ending 30 June 1991.]