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Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Ethiopia (RATIFICATION: 1963)

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Articles 1, 3, 6 and 11 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. Cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies. The Government indicates that, from 2020 to 2022, the public employment service and private employment agencies registered a total of 3,009,810 jobseekers (1,688,635 men and 1,321,175 women). During the same period, 1,840,938 jobseekers were placed and 857,670 vacancies were collected and disseminated. The Government adds that, during this same period, the public employment service provided career guidance and counselling services to some 2,212,902 jobseekers (1,131,747 men and 1,081,155 women). With respect to the distribution of public employment service offices, the Government reports that these are established and functional in all regional states. In addition, there are some 2,170 one-stop service centres (OSSC), of which 114 are new. The Government indicates that the OSSCs are authorized to register jobseekers, and provide them with guidance, counselling, and training services, as well as a start-up budget and technical support to start a company. The Committee notes with interest that, with the aim of modernizing the public employment service, the Government has begun to build the “labour market information system” and has established a project office for this purpose. In addition, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that, to promote cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies, the Government has created a conducive environment for private employment agencies to participate in the provision of employment services, through Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019, which establishes the criteria for their establishment, licensing, and operation. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the activities carried out by the public employment service, including in collaboration with private employment agencies operating in the country. It also requests the Government to provide detailed updated information on the number of public employment offices established and the manner in which they are distributed in the country, the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified, and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices. To enable the Committee to better assess the contribution of the public employment service to employment promotion, the Government is requested to provide disaggregated data distinguishing between the activities and services provided by the public employment service as opposed to private employment agencies. The Government is further requested to continue to provide updated information on the measures taken to secure effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies and on the impact of such measures. Finally, the Committee would welcome receiving with the next report information on whether and how the Government has considered to use the public employment service, in combination with active labour market policies, as a means to foster the transition from the informal to the formal economy.
Articles 4 and 5. Cooperation with the social partners. The Government indicates that Labour Advisory Committees, composed of representatives of employers and workers (drawn from the Ethiopian Employers Federation (EEF) and the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU), respectively) have been meeting every six months, with other partners, to assess the implementation of the Government’s employment policy, strategy, and directives. The Government adds that, over the last two years, a number of employment-related directives have been developed and operationalized, including on such matters as the placement of seasonal workers, as well as the registration of jobseekers and vacancies. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed updated information on the activities of the Labour Advisory Board and of the Labour Advisory Committees in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy. The Committee further requests the Government to indicate the number of Labour Advisory Committees established (nationally, regionally, and locally, if applicable), how they are constituted, and the procedures adopted for the appointment of employer and worker representatives.
Articles 7 and 8. Measures for particular categories of jobseekers. The Committee notes that, according to the ILO Decent work country programme for Ethiopia 2021–2025. women in Ethiopia have an unemployment rate (2.8 per cent) that is almost twice as high as their male counterparts (1.5 per cent). Moreover, young persons (aged 15–24) are more than twice (3.2. per cent) as likely to be unemployed as adults (1.5 per cent), and young females are almost twice as likely (1.75 per cent) to be unemployed than young men. The Committee thus requests the Government to provide updated and detailed information on the nature, scope and impact of measures taken for women and for young persons within the framework of the public employment service.With regard to the measures taken to promote and secure employment for persons with disabilities, the Committee refers the Government to its comments on the application of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159).

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.
Repetition
Articles 1, 3, 6, 11 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. Cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies. The Government indicates in its report that it attaches considerable importance to the modernization and promotion of free employment services that are efficient, effective and accessible. In reply to the previous comments, the Committee notes the information provided showing that, in the 2013–14 period, 559 public employment service offices and 599 local private employment agencies placed a total of 717,952 jobseekers (504,840 men and 213,112 women) in employment. During the same period, 827,078 jobseekers (507,583 men and 319,495 women) were registered and 276,705 vacancies were notified. The Committee further notes that activities carried out to promote cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies include sharing labour market information and training the staff of private employment agencies. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the activities carried out by the employment service. It also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of public employment offices established, the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified, and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices. The Government is further requested to provide information on the measures taken to secure effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies and on their impact.
Articles 4 and 5. Cooperation with the social partners. The Government indicates that the Labour Advisory Board plays an important role in the process of developing and reviewing employment-related policies and directives. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the activities of the Labour Advisory Board in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy.

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Articles 1, 3, 6, 11 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. Cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies. The Government indicates in its report that it attaches considerable importance to the modernization and promotion of free employment services that are efficient, effective and accessible. In reply to the previous comments, the Committee notes the information provided showing that, in the 2013–14 period, 559 public employment service offices and 599 local private employment agencies placed a total of 717,952 jobseekers (504,840 men and 213,112 women) in employment. During the same period, 827,078 jobseekers (507,583 men and 319,495 women) were registered and 276,705 vacancies were notified. The Committee further notes that activities carried out to promote cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies include sharing labour market information and training the staff of private employment agencies. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the activities carried out by the employment service. It also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of public employment offices established, the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified, and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices. The Government is further requested to provide information on the measures taken to secure effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies and on their impact.
Articles 4 and 5. Cooperation with the social partners. The Government indicates that the Labour Advisory Board plays an important role in the process of developing and reviewing employment-related policies and directives. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the activities of the Labour Advisory Board in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy.

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Articles 1, 3 and 6 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Government indicates in its report received in October 2013 that the number of public employment offices in Ethiopia was about 509 in the 2011–12 period. It adds that 537,755 jobseekers were registered, 69,170 vacancies were notified and 330,493 jobseekers were placed during the same period. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the activities carried out by the employment service and the manner in which it ensures “the best possible organisation of the employment market as an integral part of the national programme for the achievement and maintenance of full employment and the development and use of productive resources”. It also invites the Government to continue providing information on the number of public employment offices established, the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified, and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices.
Articles 4 and 5. Participation of social partners. The Government indicates that the Labour Advisory Board plays an important role in the process of developing and reviewing employment-related policies, rules and procedures. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the activities of the Labour Advisory Board in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy.
Article 11. Cooperation with private employment agencies. The Government indicates that employment and labour market information is shared between the public employment service offices and private employment agencies to ensure the complementarity of their employment services. It adds that public employment service offices and private employment agencies have periodic consultation forums through which they review achievements and identify challenges encountered, as well as lessons learned as a way forward. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information, including practical examples, on the impact of the measures taken to secure effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies.

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The Committee notes the Government’s brief replies received in February 2011 to some points raised in the 2007 direct request.
Articles 1, 3 and 6 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Government reports that, for the period 2008–09, 171,681 persons were registered as jobseekers and 33,390 vacancies were notified. The Government also reports that there are public employment exchange service offices in all nine regional states and two city administrations, and that it has established sufficient employment offices at the federal, regional and woreda levels. The Government further indicates that, based on the provisions of Article 6 of the Convention, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has issued a directive concerning the manner for the registration of jobseekers and vacancies, as well as the placement of jobseekers. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the number of public employment offices established, the number of applications for employment received, the number of vacancies notified, and the number of persons placed in employment by such offices (Part IV of the report form). Furthermore, the Committee once again requests the Government to include in its next report information on the activities carried out by the employment services and the effects of the activities on its poverty reduction strategy.
Articles 4 and 5. Participation of social partners. The Government reiterates information indicating that a Labour Advisory Board was established composed of an equal number of government, employer and worker representatives. The Government also indicates that the Labour Advisory Board has adopted its own rules and bylaws. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the activities of the Labour Advisory Board in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy.
Article 11. Cooperation with private employment agencies. The Government indicates that cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies is secured effectively through trainings arranged for both public and private employment service providers, and periodic consultative meetings on the promotion of efficient and effective employment services. The Committee notes that Employment Exchange Service Proclamation No. 392/2009 establishes, among the functions of the public employment service, the issuance of licences to private employment agencies and supervision of their activities to ensure compliance with the conditions of their licences. The Committee invites the Government to provide information, including practical examples, on the impact of the measures taken to secure effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies.
[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2013.]

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2007 direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee takes note of the information provided in the Government’s report, received in October 2006, in reply to its 1994 direct request which was reiterated in 1998.

1. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Government reports that, for the period 2001–02, 23,874 persons were registered jobseekers, there were 1,613 registered vacancies and, accordingly, 1,157 jobseekers secured placements. The Committee notes that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is the national authority responsible for matters related to employment service. The Government indicates that the functions of the employment offices are to assist persons to obtain employment; to assist employers in recruiting social workers; to determine the manner in which Ethiopian nationals are employed outside of Ethiopia; to cooperate with concerned offices and organizations in the preparation of training programmes; to undertake studies concerning the employment and unemployment rates in the country; and to collaborate with the concerned offices conducting studies related to the manner of improving vocational training so as to enable proper implementation of the national employment policy. The Committee notes with interest the information provided and welcomes continuing to receive information on activities performed by the public employment service to ensure effective recruitment and placement of workers, and statistics on the outcome of such activities. In addition, having regard to the essential duty of the employment service to achieve the best possible organization of the employment market and its revision to meet the new requirements of the economy and the working population, the Committee requests the Government to include in its next report particulars of the activities carried out by the employment services and the effects of the activities on its poverty reduction strategy.

2. Article 3 of the Convention. Development of employment offices throughout the territory. The Committee notes that two public employment service offices have been developed in areas where increased economic activity was identified. Accordingly, one local employment office was established in Addis Ababa, and a provincial employment office was established in Dire Dawa for the Teklay Guezat of Harar. The Central Employment Office however continues to offer services to all other areas in Ethiopia. The Government reports that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is vested with the authority to establish labour exchange offices and, to determine their administrative jurisdiction, supervise their functions, issue directives and, if necessary, take a step-wise approach to establish further employment offices. The Committee notes that more than 40 employment service offices have been established in the regions. The Committee welcomes continuing to receive information on the activities of the network of employment offices.

3. Articles 4 and 5. Participation of social partners. The Committee notes that an Advisory Board was established to study and examine matters relating to the employment service, including working conditions, the safety and health of workers, the labour law in general and to give advisory opinions to the Minister in this regard. The Advisory Board is comprised of 15 members, five from each social partner. The Minister of Labour and Social Affairs is the Chairman of the Committee, while the position of secretary is rotated on an annual basis between the Employer Federation and the trade unions. The Government reports that three technical committees are due to be established under the Advisory Board to address employment, industrial relations and occupational safety and health respectively. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the activities of the Advisory Board in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy.

4. Article 11. Cooperation with private employment agencies. The Committee observes that a proclamation on private employment agencies was promulgated which makes clear the distinct functions of private employment agencies. The Government considers that the issuance of this proclamation will further strengthen cooperation between public employment services and private employment agencies. The Committee invites the Government to provide detailed information on the operation of private employment agencies in its report due in 2008 on the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181). In the context of Convention No. 88, the Committee requests that the Government provide information, including practical examples, on the measures taken to secure effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies.

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The Committee takes note of the information provided in the Government’s report, received in October 2006, in reply to its 1994 direct request which was reiterated in 1998.

1. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Government reports that, for the period 2001–02, 23,874 persons were registered jobseekers, there were 1,613 registered vacancies and, accordingly, 1,157 jobseekers secured placements. The Committee notes that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is the national authority responsible for matters related to employment service. The Government indicates that the functions of the employment offices are to assist persons to obtain employment; to assist employers in recruiting social workers; to determine the manner in which Ethiopian nationals are employed outside of Ethiopia; to cooperate with concerned offices and organizations in the preparation of training programmes; to undertake studies concerning the employment and unemployment rates in the country; and to collaborate with the concerned offices conducting studies related to the manner of improving vocational training so as to enable proper implementation of the national employment policy. The Committee notes with interest the information provided and welcomes continuing to receive information on activities performed by the public employment service to ensure effective recruitment and placement of workers, and statistics on the outcome of such activities. In addition, having regard to the essential duty of the employment service to achieve the best possible organization of the employment market and its revision to meet the new requirements of the economy and the working population, the Committee requests the Government to include in its next report particulars of the activities carried out by the employment services and the effects of the activities on its poverty reduction strategy.

2. Article 3 of the Convention. Development of employment offices throughout the territory. The Committee notes that two public employment service offices have been developed in areas where increased economic activity was identified. Accordingly, one local employment office was established in Addis Ababa, and a provincial employment office was established in Dire Dawa for the Teklay Guezat of Harar. The Central Employment Office however continues to offer services to all other areas in Ethiopia. The Government reports that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is vested with the authority to establish labour exchange offices and, to determine their administrative jurisdiction, supervise their functions, issue directives and, if necessary, take a step-wise approach to establish further employment offices. The Committee notes that more than 40 employment service offices have been established in the regions. The Committee welcomes continuing to receive information on the activities of the network of employment offices.

3. Articles 4 and 5. Participation of social partners. The Committee notes that an Advisory Board was established to study and examine matters relating to the employment service, including working conditions, the safety and health of workers, the labour law in general and to give advisory opinions to the Minister in this regard. The Advisory Board is comprised of 15 members, five from each social partner. The Minister of Labour and Social Affairs is the Chairman of the Committee, while the position of secretary is rotated on an annual basis between the Employer Federation and the trade unions. The Government reports that three technical committees are due to be established under the Advisory Board to address employment, industrial relations and occupational safety and health respectively. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the activities of the Advisory Board in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy.

4. Article 11. Cooperation with private employment agencies. The Committee observes that a proclamation on private employment agencies was promulgated which makes clear the distinct functions of private employment agencies. The Government considers that the issuance of this proclamation will further strengthen cooperation between public employment services and private employment agencies. The Committee invites the Government to provide detailed information on the operation of private employment agencies in its report due in 2008 on the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181). In the context of Convention No. 88, the Committee requests that the Government provide information, including practical examples, on the measures taken to secure effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies.

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The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its earlier comments. The Committee, in particular, notes with interest the adoption of the new Labour Proclamation No. 42/1993 which determines the functions and powers of the national system of employment offices under the direction of the national authority (sections 172 and 173 of the Proclamation), and provides for the setting up of an Advisory Board (section 171 of the Proclamation) as well as other information supplied by the Government in its report regarding the application of Articles 6, 7 and 8 of the Convention. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate, in its next report, whether any regulations concerning the employment service are going to be adopted to supplement the general provisions of the Proclamation. Please also indicate whether any measures have been taken or envisaged within the various employment offices to facilitate specialization by occupations or by industries, such as agriculture and any other branch of activities in which such specialization may be useful (Article 7).

With regard to the Advisory Board, the Committee also notes that the duties and responsibilities of the Board shall be determined in the directives to be issued by the Minister. The Government indicates in its report that efforts are now being taken to establish the Advisory Board in practice. The Committee hopes that the Advisory Board will be established in the near future and that suitable arrangements will be made through this body for the cooperation of representatives of employers and workers in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy, as required by Articles 4 and 5.

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The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its earlier comments. The Committee, in particular, notes with interest the adoption of the new Labour Proclamation No. 42/1993 which determines the functions and powers of the national system of employment offices under the direction of the national authority (sections 172 and 173 of the Proclamation), and provides for the setting up of an Advisory Board (section 171 of the Proclamation) as well as other information supplied by the Government in its report regarding the application of Articles 6, 7 and 8 of the Convention. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate, in its next report, whether any regulations concerning the employment service are going to be adopted to supplement the general provisions of the Proclomation. Please also indicate whether any measures have been taken or envisaged within the various employment offices to facilitate specialization by occupations or by industries, such as agriculture and any other branch of activities in which such specialization may be useful (Article 7).

With regard to the Advisory Board, the Committee also notes that the duties and responsibilities of the Board shall be determined in the directives to be issued by the Minister. The Government indicates in its report that efforts are now being taken to establish the Advisory Board in practice. The Committee hopes that the Advisory Board will be established in the near future and that suitable arrangements will be made through this body for the cooperation of representatives of employers and workers in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy, as required by Articles 4 and 5.

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The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government in reply to its earlier comments.

It notes, in particular, the information concerning the duties and responsibilities of the Manpower and Employment Advisory Committee. It would be glad if in its next report the Government would supply information on the practical activities of this Committee in the development of employment service policy after consultation with representatives of employers and workers (Article 5 of the Convention).

The Committee notes from the Government's report that the draft Labour Code has not yet been promulgated. It noted in its previous comments that no regulations had been adopted to supplement the general principles laid down by Proclamation No. 64/75 (Part II). It cannot but reiterate its hope that regulations concerning the employment service will be adopted as soon as possible. It also hopes that the new Labour Code will be promulgated in the near future and that it will contain provisions which will implement, together with the anticipated regulations, Articles 6, 7 and 8. The Committee requests the Government to report any progress made in this connection.

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