Ethiopia’s Minister of Labor and Skills, Muferiat Kamil, has emphasized that the recently approved Foreign Employment Proclamation is a landmark step in safeguarding the dignity and welfare of Ethiopian citizens working abroad. Speaking with Ethiopian Television (ETV), she described the legislation as a comprehensive framework designed to empower workers and improve negotiation between Ethiopia and destination countries.
Minister Kamil highlighted that the new law brings together government bodies, recruitment agencies, NGOs, and foreign partners, aiming to strengthen the regulatory oversight over foreign labor placement. It introduces mandatory registration, recruitment verification, and reconciliation procedures backed by digital tools to enhance transparency and reduce exploitation risks.
A key feature of the proclamation is the obligatory performance bond for licensed agencies: those authorized to deploy workers abroad must post guarantees ranging from USD 50,000 to USD 250,000, ensuring a financial safety net for employees should any rights be violated .
Minister Kamil strongly criticized illegal recruitment practices and human trafficking, stating, “Our citizens are not commodities.” She urged all agencies and stakeholders to uphold ethical standards and accountability when sending Ethiopians overseas. The ministry has launched investigations into unlicensed brokers and false advertising schemes to curb these illegal channels .
This legal reform complements Ethiopia’s growing network of bilateral labor agreements. Earlier this year, an expanded foreign employment framework facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Kuwait, enabling Ethiopians to work legally there with protected working conditions.
The proclamation arrives amid mounting concerns over deployments to labor-recipient nations, especially in the Gulf, where reports of workplace abuse, unpaid wages, and human trafficking have fueled public outcry. The technology-backed system and bonded guarantees aim to build trust, ensure compliance, and prevent employers from offloading liabilities onto vulnerable Ethiopian workers.
