The Ethiopian government seems finally decided to do something about the abuse and inhumane treatment of Ethiopian workers in the Middle East. According to UAE The National, Ethiopia has banned its citizens from applying for domestic or blue-collar jobs in the UAE until an agreement can be reached to protect their rights.

The announcement, which was described as a temporary move aimed at rooting out unscrupulous recruiters and abuse, was made by Ato Mesganu Arga Moach Ethiopia’s Consular General in UAE. Ato Mesganu stated that his government has suspended workers from Ethiopia to the UAE because a number of recruitment agencies are working illegally. In addition, he stated that the Ethiopian government wants an agreement with the UAE that ensures the rights of its nationals respected properly.

The Consular General said that his office receive five to 10 complaints a day from Ethiopians working in UAEs of abuse, unpaid salaries and being beaten. And he stated that the Ethiopian government has a responsibility to protect the rights of its nationals

The UAE Embassy in Addis Ababa is said to be aware of the suspension and remarked the new Ethiopian intiative as a good move for both Ethiopia and UAE.

Sponsors are required by Ethiopian law to provide medical insurance and undertake to pay a minimum monthly wage of Dh660 (US$180). All contracts should be sent to the labour ministry in Addis Ababa, which then provides workers with an ID card to work overseas.

An estimated 100,000 Ethiopians live in the UAE but only one agency here is known to be legally recruiting Ethiopian workers.

Ato Mesganu has made it clear that from now on any sponsor who wants to bring an Ethiopian housemaid will have to check with the consulate if the agency is working legally, whether they are respecting the laws of the country. It is the responsibility of the sponsor to check the background of the agency.

He also urged existing sponsors and companies to authenticate Ethiopian employee contracts at the Dubai consulate, the only Ethiopian mission in the UAE.

This week Ethiopian authorities will notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about their hopes to reach a labour agreement.

Ethiopia has an excellent relation with the UAE Government but the problem is with the agencies. They do not cooperate with the consulate. So the Ethiopian government want to put proper control from the Ethiopian side, said Ato Mesganu. He wants to first clean things up. Because the majority of the agencies are not following the rules, and they should be held accountable for these workers they are bring from Ethiopia.