ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia is looking to return domestic workers to the United Arab Emirates after the government announced late last year a new labor agreement aimed to protect the rights of workers in the Gulf country following repeated reports of abuse. The government again this week said it was hoping to see female domestic workers returned to work in the UAE to boost the local economy. But it isn't going over well with many in the country who fear a return to the Gulf, where Ethiopian women have been the victim of sexual violence and other crimes. Addis Ababa in July last year imposed a ban on women from the country going to the Gulf and the UAE in particular after numerous reports of violence surfaced. The ban came largely as a result of an Ethiopian worker sustained burns to more than 80 percent of her body in a kitchen gas explosion at her employer's house in Dubai. The agreement includes minimum wage, mandatory insurance as well as ensuring the protection of elements of worker's rights and is to be handed to the UAE embassy in Addis Ababa. If implemented, it could end the ban that has been placed on Ethiopian traveling to the UAE for work. The UAE is expected to sign and ratify the new agreement within the coming weeks after review, although a specific time frame for its approval has not been established. The Ethiopian consulate in Dubai requested that the UAE halt the issue of visa to Ethiopian citizens traveling as domestic workers in August after receiving multiple reports of abuse. The new agreement is intended to prevent physical and other abuse perpetrated against Ethiopian nationals according to Mesganu Arga Moach, Ethiopian consul general in Dubai. “It is important that Ethiopian workers are assured that their rights are protected, that they receive appropriate compensation and insurance benefits and the rates specified in the agreement are based on similar agreements established by other countries," he noted. The Ethiopian government said they have received repeated reports that there has been abuse of citizens rights by some employers in the UAE. Amare Abrha, a member of the Ethiopian community in Dubai, told 7DaysDubai.com that the move taken by the government was positive. “It is long overdue but, nevertheless, we hope it will reduce the suffering housemaids are subjected to, both mentally and physically. “Any agreement signed with the UAE should address the need to increase minimum wages and also shelter workers from abuse," Abrha argued. One woman, a domestic worker in Abu Dhabi for the past 7 years, told Bikyanews.com that further discussions are needed to protect Ethiopians already living in the country. “I know at least two women who have been sexually assaulted, one of them raped, by their employer here, but there is nothing they can do because their bosses have their passports," she told Bikyanews.com, asking for anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the comments. For many domestic workers, life in the UAE can be positive and negative, but across the board, there seems to be consensus to develop an understanding and regulations for workers in the country. BN
