ILO Ethiopia-EBDN partnership launch

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The ILO Ethiopia office, through its programme – Advancing Decent Work and Inclusive Industrialization in Ethiopia (SIRAYE) – organised an industry seminar on the topic of ‘Fostering Inclusive Workplaces’ on the 25th of August, 2023 in Hawassa.

The objective of the seminar was twofold: to discuss inclusive workplaces specifically on maternity rights and protection, the legal frameworks and share good practices and the other objective was to launch the collaboration between the ILO Siraye Programme and Ethiopian Business and Disability Network (EBDN) to promote inclusive workplaces through employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The participants included HR managers from companies from the Hawassa Industrial Park, directors from the Ethiopian Investment Commission and members from Ethiopian women’s organisations. A similar launch is planned in Addis Ababa on the 31st of August, 2023 for members of four other industrial parks located in the region. This year-long partnership with the ILO-Ethiopia will help facilitate various trainings, workshops and accessibility audits that will be provided to companies to advance their disability inclusion efforts. Youth with disabilities will also be provided an opportunity to intern with companies in the five industrial parks to increase their chances of attaining full-time employment.