Ethiopia has lifted a ban on foreign travel to the Middle East. The ban was put into effect 4 years ago when Saudi Arabia forcefully deported thousands of illegal Ethiopian migrants.
In 2013, over 100,000 Ethiopians were forced to return home from Saudi Arabia for lacking legal documentation to work there.
There were also reports of brutality at the hands of some of their employers, many were domestic workers and came back home at the expense of the Ethiopian government
The government banned further travel for employment until binding bilateral labor agreements could be concluded with the countries in the Middle East.
“We have now a comprehensive and very protective oversees employment proclamation with us because we assume this will protect the rights and interests of our migrant workers so this has been done , so we have a proper governance structure from federal to the region to facilitate the migration process.” Abebe Haile, the director for employment services at the ministry of labor said.
Despite the closure of employment agencies after the ban, many Ethiopians continued travelling illegally. A spike was also seen in people trafficking.
In 2017 Ethiopia was again forced to repatriate over 50,000 of its nationals whom the Saudi Arabian government was threatening to deport for being in the country illegally.
This new proclamation defines the roles and responsibilities of private recruiting agencies and the agents in the receiving countries.
” The government’s role will be more of regulatory a in the form of licensing, making inspections, making follow up for Ethiopians in the destination and providing reintegration support for the returnees ” Haile said
The government says it has also set up training points around the country to give basic skills to those seeking to go to the Middle East for domestic work.
Ethiopia has concluded bilateral labor agreements with Jordan and Kuwait, while preparation is underway to sign similar agreements with Lebanon, the UAE and Bahrain.
