ADDIS ABABA – Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Union (CETU) says it has already sent request to the House of Peoples Representatives (HPR) to set national minimum wage. The government has already accepted the proclamation and is left with only implementation of the proclamation only. He suggested that, setting minimum wage would stabilize problem happened related to salary payments.
Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Union (CETU) Foreign and Public Relation Director Measho Berihu told The Ethiopian Herald that, the daily activity of CETU is protecting the rights and interest of the workers according to the proclamations set by the unions. Many problems were faced by workers related to salary payments and some issues with employers counterparts due to absence of minimum wage salary in Ethiopia. Under Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, the government has initiated a series of unprecedented reforms aimed at enhancing economic growth, improving competitiveness, and creating employment opportunities.
Measho stated that, salary paid for the employee is lowest compared to other sectors in some industrial parks particularly the newly constructed industrial parks. There are big gaps between the salary paid for the employee and the consumption. This may affect ability of an individual to be productive. If salary is paid for, the employers appropriately balanced to its consumption at the same time productivity will increase. Introduced over the past few years, the eight operational industrial parks in Ethiopia have created a total of over 70,000 jobs, according to Ethiopian Investment Commission.
The Commission further elaborated that 103 million USD export has been generated from industrial parks in the past nine months. The performance exceeded that of same period last fiscal year by 40 percent, it was learned. Commission’s Public Relation Director Mekonnen Hailu told The Ethiopian Herald that 70 percent of the planned earning from industrial parks during the stated period has been accomplished. He said that government of Ethiopia is carrying out many activities to boost the economic sector of the country through easing business and creating conducive environment for both domestic and foreign investors.
From among these construction of industrial parks across the country will further help to upgrade the economic growth of the country as to him. The already operated industrial parks and those under construction were engaged in different activities and created job opportunities for hundred thousand of citizens. He added that, products produced by the industrial parks were exported to different countries across the world and this will helps the country for earning of foreign currency.
Ethiopia has in recent years focused on building industrial parks as a viable strategy to increase foreign exchange earnings; and the country is striving to complete a total of 30 industrial parks over the coming years. Leather products as well as textiles and apparel have been exported to European countries, USA, Asia and other export destinations.
Various industrial parks that have already gone operational across the country have managed to generate employment opportunities for over 70,000 persons. This figure shows us that, directly those who have an opportunity to be employed in industrial parks and indirectly there individuals under those which were beneficial. In addition to the salary paid for the employee there is house allowance, transport allowance and other related benefits. If not the house and transport allowance will be added to their normal salary, he stated.
The Ethiopian Herald May 11/2019
BY HAILE DEMEKE
