2merkato

Ethiopia is preparing a draft law to regulate Internet, radio and TV. The draft is being prepared by a steering committee constituting the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority, Ethiopian Ministry of Communications & Information Technology and Information Network Security Agency. The Ethiopia Radio & Television Agency is also participating in the drafting process of the new law.

The draft bill is expected to be finalized and forwarded to the Council of Ministers before the end of the current Ethiopian Fiscal Year, according to Leul Gebru, deputy director general of Ethiopian Broadcast Authority.

Ethiopia is drafting a new building code to replace the existing one, adopted 18 years ago. The new code is to be modeled after European, U.S. and Singapore building codes.

The Ministry of Urban Development and Construction contracted the Addis Abeba Institute of Technology (AAIT), in January 2012, to draft the code for a fee of 2.6 million Br. A team of 50 professionals, including professors, contractors and architects from across the capital, have been working on the document.

Ethiopia has formulated a national mining policy aimed at sustainably utilizing its mineral resources. The policy prioritizes creating a transparent regulatory environment, attracting domestic and foreign investments, promoting sustainable mining practices, and fostering local community engagement.

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.