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Ethiopia: Public Enterprises and Labour Associations Signed Agreement

Government public enterprises signed an agreement with their respective labour associations a deal to implement Industrial Development Strategy (IDS) on Thursday, June 19, 2014.

During the occasion Dr. Zerihun Kebede, State Minister, noted the implementing IDS is not beneficial only for employers and the employees yet to the government too.

Zerihun added “The common and indicidual interest of the major actors (government, employers and employees) are the springboard of cooperation and conflict. Understanding the interests of the three parties is of paramount importance in the process of ensuring industrial peace. Thus their needs have to be treated separately”.

In related news the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs reminded dialogue plays a pivotal role in boosting productivity of organizations and cultivating positive relations among employers and workers. Commenting on this the State Minister said social dialogue is a scientific method being used in the developed world to settle disagreement between employers and workers.

Zerihun also said in order to have uninterrupted production, minimize industrial dispute and boost workers moral one needs to ensure harmonious industrial relations. Commenting on this he said dialogue is a better way to achieve harmonious relations than rules and regulations.

Fekadu Gebru, an official from the Ministry, made a presentation in which he affirmed the stance of the State Minister. By his presentation entitled, Social Dialogue as a Toll for Industrial Peace, he said social dialogue is the key to creating conducive working environment that accommodates the interest of both employers and workers.

Fekadu added in order to achieve industrial peace there needs to be a reconcile in the needs of the employers and workers, better productivity and better payment respectively.

George Okutho, Country Office Director for Ethiopia and Somalia ILO, also said improving workplace cooperation between employers and workers for the primary objectives of achieving higher productivity and competitiveness should be collective objective for this year and years to come.

Okutho further noted his organization will continue to help Ethiopia in it’s capacity building needs. Nonetheless, he continued, progressively there should be a shift from ad hoc actions.

Source: The Ethiopian Herald