From Research to Practice: Interventions on Labour Rights Improve Workplace Conditions

Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE) is an Ethiopian based Civil Society Organisation (CSO) dedicated to the advancement of Human Rights in Ethiopia. AHRE plays a crucial role in improving workplace conditions by advocating for and ensuring the implementation of labour laws and standards. AHRE’s work often involves monitoring, reporting, and advocating for better working conditions, including fair wages, safe working environments, and protection against discrimination. It is one of the 15 CSOs that has been supported by the French Development Agency (AFD) through the Civil Society Innovation Fund (CSIF) between 2022 and 2025.

With the financial support of CSIF, AHRE conducted and published a study titled: “The Human Rights Conditions of Workers in Ethiopia: Focus on Industrial Parks, Private Agency Employees, Women’s Participation in Trade Unions, and Gender Based Violence Cases in Amhara, Oromia and Addis Ababa”. The study's findings demonstrated that a range of violations of human rights occur in the workplace. Many workers are unaware of their rights, leaving them open to abuse and exploitation.

Based on the findings and recommendations of this research, AHRE provided awareness trainings for employees, trade union representatives, employers, and staff from the government offices of labour and skills. The training sessions were designed to enhance participants’ awareness of both basic human rights, and labour rights and to create a platform for employees and employers to openly discuss labour rights issues. 

Participants reported their awareness and understanding of workers' rights have risen as a result of the training and further, close follow-up support by AHRE. One participant said, “Through this training, I have gained a clear understanding of the role of trade unions, as well as the rights and obligations of both employers and employees. I now have a better grasp of the labour laws in our country.”1  Employers have also recognized that protecting and advancing workers' rights can increase productivity, lessen friction, and create a more peaceful workplace. Employer representatives mentioned procedural changes and improvements in their treatment of employees, following the training. Training participants also reported changes including: 

Improved compliance with safety regulations, with some industries now providing essential safety gear and equipment to workers.  

An improvement in working conditions for vulnerable workers, including pregnant women and youth, who received more suitable working roles and enhanced protective measures.  

Greater compliance with legally mandated overtime, with participants noting reductions in previously widespread excessive overtime practices.

One employer representative said: “In the past, we would only pay the final month of a worker's wage after they were let go,... or resigned. We only make additional payments, like notice period, severance, and compensation, in response to employee lawsuits. But following the training, we began to pay all required wages to employees who were let go, quit their jobs, or had their wages withheld.” 

Workers' association leaders emphasized how the training had improved their ability to successfully represent their members in labour issues. One individual, for example, described a recent scenario in which a manufacturing company merged with another business, resulting in the proposed layoff of over 17 employees. The workers' association effectively intervened and bargained with the new firm’s management, resulting in the planned decrease being suspended, thanks to the knowledge and negotiation skills they acquired during the training.

Overall, the research and follow up interventions by AHRE have raised employer and employee awareness of relevant labour laws, and contributed to real, practical improvements in working conditions and workers' rights, strengthened the role of worker's associations, and enhanced employers’ appreciation of the importance of a positive work environment.