Work & workplace rights

The Refugees Proclamation No. 1110/2019 grants recognized refugees and asylum seekers the right to wage-earning employment, ensuring they receive the most favorable treatment given to foreign nationals.  A work permit is generally required for refugees and asylum seekers to engage in wage-earning employment. Refugees married to Ethiopian nationals or having Ethiopian children can work without a permit.

That said, foreign nationals face significant restrictions in accessing wage-earning employment in Ethiopia, with many sectors reserved for Ethiopian nationals. Public service roles, including positions in government institutions, armed forces, police, and courts, are generally not accessible to foreign nationals, including refugees. However, Foreign Nationals of Ethiopian Origin (FNEO) are granted similar employment rights to Ethiopian nationals, with few exceptions, and can work without a permit.

For self-employment, refugees have the right to engage in various economic activities on the same favorable terms as foreign nationals, provided they obtain the necessary licenses. Those involved in joint projects with the government are treated equally with Ethiopian nationals. FNEO and certain nationals from countries with bilateral agreements, like Djibouti, receive preferential treatment, implying refugees might receive similar benefits under the most favorable national treatment standard.

Refugees with relevant diplomas and qualifications can practice liberal professions under the same conditions as foreign nationals. However, they need to authenticate their credentials through the appropriate government authorities. Ethiopia's piecemeal legal framework for liberal professions requires foreign professionals to obtain work permits, except for FNEO, who can work without permits. Ethiopia recognizes foreign educational qualifications through the Education and Training Authority (ETA), although specific laws for recognizing foreign credentials are absent. Refugees receive the most favorable treatment accorded to foreign nationals concerning the recognition of their academic credentials.

Ethiopian labor law protects employees, including refugees, from unfair dismissal, requiring valid reasons and procedural safeguards for termination. Compensation is available for those dismissed unlawfully. The law also prohibits labor exploitation amounting to trafficking, providing procedural safeguards and penalties for violations.

Refugees can seek administrative or judicial remedies if denied gainful employment. The Ethiopian Constitution guarantees everyone the right to bring justiciable matters to court, and this right is extended to refugees under the Refugees Proclamation. They can also lodge complaints with the Refugees and Returnees Services (RRS) or the ombudsman for maladministration.