Floriculture Project
The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) in collaboration with various partners has developed a flower sector Code of Practice (COP). ILO has contributed in the formulation of the COP and was also one of the lead partners and signatory of the Memorandum of Understanding in the launching of the COP in August 2007. Accordingly, the project for Enhancing Productivity, Competitiveness and Market access through decent work of the floriculture sector in partnership with EHPEA is undertaking activities in implementing the Code of Practice (COP) of EHPEA at the pilot 15 flower farms. The COP has a considerable coverage of safety, environmental, ethical and social issues. It is divided into three stages, namely, bronze, silver and gold levels. The first 10 farms that complied with the bronze level have been certified by an independent audit firm in an official event held at the Addis Ababa Hilton Hotel on February 26, 2009. The event was attended by ministers, ambassadors, donor agency heads, and farmers. During this event the ILO was recognized both by the government and EHPEA for contributing to this success. In his opening speech, the Minister of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development thanked the ILO for supporting this initiative and requested for its continuation. ILO was invited to hand over certificate to one flower farm.
Child Labour Project
The ILO Sub-regional Office for Eastern Africa is currently assisting the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLSA) in the development of a National Action Plan (NAP) on elimination of the worst forms of child labour in Ethiopia. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the implementation of a programme entitled “Poverty Reduction through Decent Work Creation in Ethiopia”, which is part and parcel of the Decent Work Country Programme, has become a turning point in embarking upon a more concrete action in the area of child labour in Ethiopia.
To make this process more effective and multidimensional, a task force has been established which comprises all pertinent Government Ministries as well as representatives of non governmental organizations working in the area of child labour.
Through the active participation of the members of the task force and colossal commitment of MOLSA, the development of NAP on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour is increasingly becoming a reality in Ethiopia. The drafting process started in the third quarter of 2008 and final consultation on the draft NAP has been carried out in early March 2009. This consultation has paved the way for an effective finalization of the NAP document which will be followed by a one on one consultation with pertinent government ministries which is expected to be initiated by MOLSA as a buy in process of this national endeavour.
The development of NAP on child labour is an upstream measure aimed at creating an enabling environment for the elimination of child labour, a parallel activity is being carried out in the area of downstream measures. These measures are aimed at direct interventions targeted at economic sectors where worst forms of child labour are prevalent. One of the activities worth to mention is the initiative taken by MOLSA and the Decent work Country Programme in the development of Standardized Procedures, Protocols and Guidelines for Identification, Withdrawal, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of children from selected worst forms of child labour in selected sectors . This process is also being carried out in such a manner that all concerned governmental and non governmental organization’s views and experiences in the area of identification, withdrawal and rehabilitation as well as reintegration are well captured. An international and a national consultant are currently working on this process. The final result is expected to be validated by stakeholders in the coming quarter.
In the area of awareness raising and public mobilization, quite encouraging practical activities are being carried out. Worth to mention in this regard is the development of different awareness raising posters, brochures and other sensitization materials. These materials have been circulated for different stakeholders for sensitization purposes. Furthermore, for wider awareness raising purpose a weekly radio programme is being broadcasted in Amharic and Ormiffa languages. This has expanded the awareness level of enforcing agencies and the general public at large.
Cotton and Textile Project
WIND Pilot Project in Metema
Component I of the ILO country programme for Poverty Reduction through Decent Employment creation, aims at promoting decent work in the cotton and textiles sector and making it nationally and internationally competitive. Ethiopia’s cotton and textiles sector employs a large proportion of the labour force, particularly women. The practice of cotton farming in Ethiopia involves poor traditional farming tools and techniques, particularly in the peasant farms. Harvesting practices in all cotton farms involve handpicking while weeding is done by a combination of hand and machines. Cotton farmers, especially smallholders, are exposed to unsafe working conditions and health hazards. They are exposed to pandemic diseases like malaria that are found in almost all cotton growing areas in the country.
The ILO Sub-Regional Office in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is currently implementing Work in Neighbourhood Development (WIND) pilot programme for forty (40) cotton cultivating small scale farmers and their spouses who are member of Kokit Farmers Cooperatives in Metema Woreda. The training manual is useful for improving health, safety, and working conditions. The also applies the concept of participatory, action-oriented training approaches.
The WIND pilot project has proven that good training tools are crucial for strengthening and sustaining the self-help initiative of small scale farmers. It is also believed to eventually enhance the competitiveness and quality of the cotton.
Solid Waste Management Project
The ILO-AACA Partnership Project on solid waste management has evolved from the consultations process with the various City Administration Agencies and other stakeholders. The Project is implemented with the Sanitation, Beautification and Parks Development Agency (SBPDA).
The main objectives of the Project are to contribute towards reducing the three major problems facing the city of Addis Ababa namely, i.e. poverty and unemployment, environmental degradation, and service delivery.
The project is expected to result multiple impacts on employment creation through improved waste collection services, improvements in the occupational safety and health of solid waste workers, the development of waste recycling including the production and marketing of compost.
The ongoing and completed activities of the Project include the Start Your Waste Collection Business Training Program (SYWCB), improving intermediate transport, waste recycling and composting, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) on solid waste management.
|
