our projects

Ethiopian Labour Rights Watch (ELRW) organized a consultative meeting on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in the construction sector with the financial support of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES). As a result of this initiative, ELRW successfully facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bureau of Labour and Skills, the Ethiopian Construction Industry Workers Federation and the Construction Contractors Association of Ethiopia.

Ethiopian Labour Rights Watch (ELRW) had project entitled 'Better Protection of OSH of Young Workers in Hawassa Industrial Park' which funded under Civil Society Support Programme Phase II (CSSP II). The project objective was to strengthen protection for young industrial workers by enhancing the awareness, dialogue and institutional capacity on OSH. The key events were a research conducted to investigate ongoing OSH practices in Hawassa Industrial Park and a validation workshop involving stakeholders. ELRW produced a summary booklet of research findings and created posters and social media messages to inform the public. Other activities included a sensitization workshop for employers and workers to raise awareness of OSH rights and duties and a training initiative targeting government institutions to strengthen inspection and control functions. The initiative effectively raised awareness of OSH rights among young workers and facilitated better cooperation between the park management, labour authorities and employers.

As part of the Civil Society Innovative Fund I (CSIF I) Project which funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD), ELRW implemented a nationwide capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening emerging Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working on labour rights in Ethiopia. Through a series of targeted trainings conducted in Hawassa, Assosa, Adama, Wolayita and Jigjiga, the project equipped CSOs with essential knowledge, skills and tools to effectively advocate for workers' rights and promote decent work standards. This initiative contributed to building a more vibrant and capable civil society network committed to advancing labour justice in Ethiopia. The successful collaboration of partners, trainers, and participants made this project a meaningful step toward empowering grassroots organizations to drive sustainable change in the labour sector.

In collaboration with Ethiopian Lawyers with Disabilities Association (ELDA) ELRW had a project title 'Advancing the rights of persons with disabilities: Leveling the Playing Field by Eliminating Legislative and policy Barriers to Disability Inclusion in the Workforce' which funded by Civil Rights Defenders (CRD). In the project we published a research which focused on identifying gaps in employment legislation and drafting a national standard for reasonable accommodation for workers with disabilities. ELRW also develop and present policy briefs with key findings and recommendations to relevant committees and ministries. In addition we assist implementation of an online campaign to raise awareness and mobilize support for policy changes for benefiting persons with disabilities.

In collaboration with CEHRO, ELRW successfully implemented the project 'Combating Exploitation, Child Labour, Abuse and Human Trafficking in Ethiopia' which funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Norway (NORAD). The project delivered sensitization workshops for business owners, recruiting agencies (brokers), and community members to enhancing their understanding of key labour laws, policies and protocols aimed at protecting workers and vulnerable groups. In addition, weekly awareness magazines were produced and disseminated to the wider public, promoting individuals' rights to decent work and access to justice. This initiative strengthened national efforts to reduce exploitation and promote fair and safe labour practices across communities.