2merkato

The Ethiopian government has drafted a new labor agreement to protect the rights of Ethiopians working in the United Arab Emirates as domestic workers.

The agreement includes minimum wage, mandatory insurance as well as ensuring the protection of elements of worker’s rights and is to be handed to the UAE embassy in Addis Ababa according to sources.

The agreement if implemented could end the ban placed on Ethiopian traveling to the UAE for work.

The Ethiopian Council of Mineral Affairs said they are drafting a new 20-year policy for the mining and petroleum industry. The Council made this known during a consultation meeting held with stakeholders, with the intent to enrich the drafted policy.

Ethiopian government and World Health Organization (WHO) drafted a National Strategy and Plan of Action for Pharmaceutical sector to advance public access to medicines and draw industries in the sector for the coming ten years.

Ethiopia earned 193.5 million US dollars from the export of manufactured products in the last nine months according to the Ministry of Industry.

The revenue earned exceeded the sum earned in the same period last year by 55.9 million US dollars or 40.7%.

The revenue was earned from the export of leather and leather products, agro-processing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textile and garment said Mekonnen Manazewal, State Minister of Industry in a presentation of the ministry’s nine month performance report to the House of Peoples’ Representatives.

Ethiopia earned 213 million US dollars from the export of meat and livestock in the last 10 months announced the Ministry of Agriculture.

The export of livestock represents 71% of the revenue earned from exports while meat exports made up the difference. The revenue earned is just 62.5% of the targeted 340.4 million US dollars for the period.

Export earnings from meat and livestock is lower than expected because of the poor market ties the country has with the international livestock market said Tefera Deribew, Minister of Agriculture.