Social protection

The National Social Protection Policy (NSPP) and the National Social Protection Strategy in Ethiopia aim to provide productive safety nets, support for livelihoods, social insurance, healthcare, education, and legal protection to ensure social justice and security. The NSPP targets individuals with specific needs, such as those with disabilities, mental health challenges, and older persons without support, but does not explicitly address the needs of refugees and asylum-seekers. The Refugee Proclamation No. 1110/2019 addresses the rights of refugees and asylum seekers to work without discrimination and ensures they are subject to the same obligations as Ethiopian nationals under national laws. However, the proclamation does not explicitly guarantee the right to social security for refugees.

Ethiopian law includes two social security schemes related to employment: the Public Servants’ Pension scheme and the Private Employees’ Pension scheme. Both are primarily applicable to Ethiopian nationals, with an exception for Foreign Nationals of Ethiopian Origin (FNEO). The Refugee Proclamation suggests that refugees might be entitled to similar treatment as FNEO, but the law does not clearly define the comparator group of foreign nationals for refugees.

Health insurance in Ethiopia comprises Social Health Insurance (SHI) for formally employed individuals and Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) for the informal sector and the general public. SHI covers employees across various sectors, including public and private organizations, while CBHI is open to all, including refugees, aiming for universal health coverage.

Regarding social assistance, Ethiopian laws and policies do not clearly specify whether refugees are eligible. The NSPP and national strategies prioritize assistance for vulnerable individuals, but the extent of access for refugees is unclear. However, initiatives like the Urban Productive Safety Net and Job Project (UPSNJP) include the Refugee and Host Integration Through the SafetyNet (RHISN), which extends support and livelihood opportunities to refugees.

Refugees denied social insurance or assistance can seek administrative or judicial remedies. The Constitution guarantees everyone the right to bring justiciable matters to court, and the Refugees Proclamation extends this right to refugees. Refugees can also lodge complaints with the ombudsman for maladministration by relevant authorities.