Addis Ababa – Ethiopia’s Minister of Labor and Skills, Muferihat Kamil, announced that approximately 301,000 Ethiopians have secured jobs in foreign countries in a secured and dignified manner over the past ten months of the current fiscal year. This development reflects the government’s focus on ensuring the safety and rights of its citizens abroad.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Minister Muferihat described the broad reforms implemented in the foreign employment sector as part of the ministry’s ‘Year of Productivity’ initiative. The reforms aimed to uphold the dignity of Ethiopians working overseas, a priority explicitly stated by the government. The ministry, in collaboration with various stakeholders, has employed modern technologies to mitigate challenges faced by workers abroad, including enhancing their psychological preparedness through targeted training programs.

The government has also taken steps to ensure the safety and security of these workers, including the establishment of a system to quickly address any issues they encounter abroad via embassy support. Moreover, discussions are ongoing with Ethio-telecom to facilitate easier communication for these workers through their smartphones, allowing them to forward complaints or seek assistance effectively.

Despite these efforts, issues such as human trafficking persist, driven by misinformation. The Minister emphasized that the only legal expenses potential employees should bear are for health checkups and passport fees; any additional charges are unauthorized. She also highlighted ongoing negotiations to open new foreign employment markets, with agreements being discussed with three additional countries during the fiscal year, aiming to ensure that all processes safeguard the rights and benefits of Ethiopian workers overseas.