Establishment and Authority of the Advisory Board
Directive No. 180/2013, which is formally titled the Directive issued to establish the Labour and Social Affairs Advisory Board, was enacted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs under the authority of Article 171 of the Labour Proclamation No. 377/1996. The directive mandates the creation of a permanent body known as the Labour and Social Affairs Advisory Board, which is situated within the Ministry’s organizational structure. This board is designed to facilitate high-level consultation between the government and key social partners, specifically identifying the Ethiopian Employers Federation and the Ethiopian Trade Union Confederation as the primary representative entities for employers and workers, respectively.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The board serves as a specialized advisory body with a broad mandate to improve national labor standards and employment conditions. Its primary function is to provide the Ministry with recommendations regarding the drafting, amendment, or replacement of labor-related laws, regulations, and directives. In addition to its legislative advisory role, the board is tasked with exploring and proposing ways to expand employment opportunities and reduce national unemployment rates. A significant portion of its work is also dedicated to the physical and social welfare of the workforce, including advising on the improvement of general working conditions and the prevention of industrial accidents and occupational diseases. Furthermore, the board is responsible for suggesting measures to strengthen social security and the overall social life of workers.
Administrative and Operational Framework
To ensure the board can carry out its duties effectively, the directive establishes a dedicated support structure. The board is provided with its own office and the necessary professional and administrative staff. Its operations are funded through a specific budget allocated within the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The directive also imposes a legal duty on all relevant government organizations and individuals to cooperate in the implementation of the board’s mandates, ensuring that its advisory functions are supported by various sectors of the administration.
Legal Status and Effective Date
The issuance of this directive officially repealed the earlier directive for the establishment of the board that had been in place since Ginbot 15, 1987, in the Ethiopian calendar. According to the signing documents, the current directive became effective as of Tikimt 17, 1997, in the Ethiopian calendar, which corresponds to October 2004 in the Gregorian calendar. This established the permanent tripartite consultation mechanism that has since informed the development of labor policy and workplace safety standards in Ethiopia. Consistent with our previous discussions on related boards, such as the Federal Permanent Labour Relations Advisory Board described in Directive No. 812/2013, this body plays a central role in advising the Minister on the reduction of workplace accidents and the enhancement of occupational health and safety protocols.