Strengthening the Protection of Migrant Workers' Rights in Ethiopia & Somalia
Union-to-Union Agreement between the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Union (CETU) and Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU)
4 October 2023
A significant commitment was reached on September 22, 2023, during a historic event held at the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Union (CETU) headquarters in Addis Ababa. The first Union-to-Union Signing Ceremony among African countries, jointly organised by CETU and the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU), with the support of the ILO Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme marked a vital step towards enhancing the protection of migrant workers' rights.
The Union-to-Union Agreement embodies several key principles aimed at addressing issues related to the rights of migrant workers. These principles aligned with international labour standards, human rights treaties, and national laws, emphasised the non-negotiable principles of freedom of association. The agreement stresses the promotion of labour migration's positive contributions to the economies of Ethiopia and Somalia, the importance of raising awareness among migrant workers about their rights, and the fight against racism, xenophobia, and discrimination.
During their welcoming remarks, both by Kassahun Follo, President of CETU, and Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary-General of FESTU, emphasised their commitment to protect the rights and welfare of migrant workers in Ethiopia, Somalia and beyond. The height of the ceremony was the signing of the Union-to-Union Agreement, symbolising a unified effort to ensure the well-being and rights of migrant workers. After the signing ceremony, Alexio Musindo, the Director of the ILO Country Office for Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan, delivered a closing remark, underscoring the importance of this agreement and the pivotal role of the signatories in enhancing the protection of migrant workers' rights.
Furthermore, the signing of this agreement solidified the commitment to campaign for the ratification and domestication of international labour conventions and foster cooperation between governments to enhance labour migration governance. The Union-to-Union Signing Ceremony was not just a symbolic event; it represented a tangible commitment to safeguard the rights of migrant workers and improve their overall well-being. It sets a precedent for collaboration and cooperation between unions, governments, and stakeholders in Ethiopia and Somalia, fostering an environment where the dignity and rights of all workers, regardless of their migration status, are upheld. This significant step demonstrates the power of collective action in addressing complex challenges and advancing the rights and protection of migrant workers in the region. On a similar note, Ethiopia has also initiated engagement with the South Sudan Workers Trade Union Federation (SSWTUF) to sign an agreement to safeguard the rights of Ethiopian and South Sudanese migrant workers in South Sudan, Ethiopia and beyond.
The Union-to-Union Agreement embodies several key principles aimed at addressing issues related to the rights of migrant workers. These principles aligned with international labour standards, human rights treaties, and national laws, emphasised the non-negotiable principles of freedom of association. The agreement stresses the promotion of labour migration's positive contributions to the economies of Ethiopia and Somalia, the importance of raising awareness among migrant workers about their rights, and the fight against racism, xenophobia, and discrimination.
During their welcoming remarks, both by Kassahun Follo, President of CETU, and Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary-General of FESTU, emphasised their commitment to protect the rights and welfare of migrant workers in Ethiopia, Somalia and beyond. The height of the ceremony was the signing of the Union-to-Union Agreement, symbolising a unified effort to ensure the well-being and rights of migrant workers. After the signing ceremony, Alexio Musindo, the Director of the ILO Country Office for Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan, delivered a closing remark, underscoring the importance of this agreement and the pivotal role of the signatories in enhancing the protection of migrant workers' rights.
Furthermore, the signing of this agreement solidified the commitment to campaign for the ratification and domestication of international labour conventions and foster cooperation between governments to enhance labour migration governance. The Union-to-Union Signing Ceremony was not just a symbolic event; it represented a tangible commitment to safeguard the rights of migrant workers and improve their overall well-being. It sets a precedent for collaboration and cooperation between unions, governments, and stakeholders in Ethiopia and Somalia, fostering an environment where the dignity and rights of all workers, regardless of their migration status, are upheld. This significant step demonstrates the power of collective action in addressing complex challenges and advancing the rights and protection of migrant workers in the region. On a similar note, Ethiopia has also initiated engagement with the South Sudan Workers Trade Union Federation (SSWTUF) to sign an agreement to safeguard the rights of Ethiopian and South Sudanese migrant workers in South Sudan, Ethiopia and beyond.