Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation, which read as follows:

The Committee recalls that at its 282nd Session (November 2001) the Governing Body of the ILO approved the report of the tripartite committee set up to examine the representation alleging non-observance of Ethiopia of Conventions Nos. 111 and 158, made under article 24 of the ILO Constitution by the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers (GB.282/14/5). The Governing Body concluded that large-scale deportations of persons, including workers from Ethiopia to Eritrea and vice versa, occurred following the outbreak of the border conflict in May 1998. Recalling its previous comments following up on the Governing Body’s conclusions, the Committee notes from the Government’s report that Eritrea filed its statement of claims with the Eritrea-Ethiopia Claims Commission on 12 December 2001 in accordance with the Commission’s instructions. The statement included claims relating to Ethiopia’s treatment of workers of Eritrean nationality or origin (Eritrea claim 15 – persons expelled from Ethiopia; and Eritrea claim 23 – Eritrean nationals and persons of Eritrean origin remaining in Ethiopia). The Government indicates that it is currently preparing its counter-memorial with regard to the claims relating to expelled persons, while the memorial regarding persons that are still within Ethiopia will be due at a later stage. The Committee notes the Government’s assurances that it would take all the necessary measures to implement fully any awards rendered. It also confirmed that Ethiopians residing in Eritrea were entitled to their employment rights and in case of abuse, victims were able to assert their rights. The Committee thanks the Government for this update and requests the Government to continue to provide information on its cooperation with the Government of Ethiopia and the Eritrea Ethiopia Claims Commission with regard to employment-related claims, any awards issued in regard to such claims, as well as the measures taken to implement them.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.