Assessing Ethiopia’s Child Labour Framework Against International Legal Standards

1. Introduction 

Child labour, particularly in its most exploitive form, deprives children of their future, dignity, and health. Despite global efforts to eradicate it, millions of children around the world continue to endure unsafe and dangerous work conditions. 

Ethiopia is no exception. With an estimated 16 million children aged 5 to 17 engaged in various forms of labor, the scale of the problem is significant. According to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, two out of every five working children in Ethiopia are under the age of six1— highlighting the urgent need for action. . 

Although the Ethiopian government has taken notable progress in recent years—including drafting guidelines, initiating criminal investigations, and collaborating with international partners—gaps remain in enforcement, legal consistency, and policy implementation. This article critically examine the current state of child labor in Ethiopia, exploring key enforcement challenges and institutional limitations. Furthermore, this research assess a comparative approach, by analyzing Ethiopia’s compliance with international legal standards. The structure of this article is as follows: First, it provides a background on child labor laws and practices in Ethiopia, followed by an in-depth analysis of current legal frameworks and their alignment with international standards. Finally, it offers conclusions and recommendations for bridging the gap between policy and practice. 

2. Background 

In 2022, Ethiopia made significant effort in addressing the issue of child labor, particularly focusing on the worst forms of exploitation.2 One key initiative was the government’s support for a comprehensive study on child domestic servitude, a prevalent form of forced child labor in the country. This research aimed to uncover the root causes and dynamics of the issue, with the goal of crafting more effective preventive and remedial strategies.

Further, the Ministry of Justice collaborated with the International Organization for Migration in the process of establishing new standard operating procedures for identifying and providing services to potential victims of human trafficking and referring them for service. The procedures will facilitate the identification of individuals vulnerable to exploitation and access to support and services that will assist them in escaping their traffickers. Poor enforcement persists despite these reforms. Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLS) continues to face serious challenges with regard to limited financial and human resources that limit monitoring and enforcing labor regulations. 

Law enforcement data provided by the government show limited impact: out of 11 suspected child labour cases investigated, 13 alleged violations were identified, and 9 prosecutions initiated. However, conviction rates and the nature of penalties imposed remain unknown.3 While the government has prioritized transnational trafficking, efforts to address internal trafficking—such as child domestic servitude and sex trafficking—remain limited, despite their prevalence. The lack of a law mandating free and compulsory basic education further increases children’s vulnerability to exploitation. Although Ethiopia has ratified key international instruments and adopted domestic laws like Proclamations No. 1156/2019 and 909/2015, enforcement is inconsistent. 

Despite conducive legislative and institutional frameworks, there is still a broad gap between obligations stipulated by law and enforcement in practice. The gap needs to be closed to effectively protect children from exploitation and guarantee their rights. 

3. Main Body 

3.1. The legal framework on child labour in Ethiopia 

Child labour in Ethiopia is governed by a combination of constitutional principles, labour laws, and criminal statute and international treaties. 

At the national level the supreme law of the country the FDRE constitution Article 36 including the right to be protected from exploitative labour practices that are harmful to health or education.4 The primary legislative tools addressing child labour is Labour Proclamation No.

1156/2019. It defines a “young worker” as a person aged between 14 and 18 years and prohibits the employment of children under the age of 14. Even for those aged 14–185. In addition to the Labour Proclamation, the Revised Criminal Code of 2004 criminalizes child exploitation through various provisions. Notably: 

• Article 596 criminalize trafficking in children 
• Article 597 penalizes the exploitation of children for begging or illegal work.
• Article 635 addresses the endangerment of minors in employment and other exploitative situations. 

The Civil Code of Ethiopia (1960) recognizes and provides sanctions for the exploitation and abuse of a child. Article 2052 of the Civil Code states that failure to educate or supervise any person under one’s charge results in extra-contractual liability.6 

In 2023, Ethiopia made moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The government ratified a Directive to Implement the Reintegration of Victim Migrant Returnees, Number 969/2023, which assigns responsibilities to institutions and includes procedures to follow for the reintegration of human trafficking survivors, including children.7 At international level Ethiopia has ratified major regional and global conventions and instruments related to preventing child labor and protection procedures. The global instruments include: 

• ILO’s Minimum Age Convention 1973 (No.138); 
• ILO Convention on Worst Forms of Child Labor(no.182); 
• United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC); 
• UN CRC Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, 
• Child Prostitution and Child Pornography; and Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons. 

These conventions detail minimum work age; defines worst forms of child labor; and provide procedures for protection of children from economic exploitation, hazardous work that hampers child’s education, or to be harmful to the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.8 

Together, Ethiopia’s domestic and international legal frameworks aim to create a comprehensive protection system against child labour. However, the actual implementation and enforcement remain complex and will be discussed in the following section. 

3.2 Analysis: Legal Gaps, Practical Challenges, and Incompatibilities Despite these efforts, Ethiopia’s laws to adress child labour through domestic laws and iinternational commitments, significant legal and practical gaps remain. 

First Ethiopian laws do not fully meet international standards, because they do not criminalize the use of a child for commercial sexual exploitation, and they allow children ages 15 and 16 to engage in hazardous work. In addition, hazardous work protections do not extend to traditional weaving, an area of work in which there is evidence that children are exposed to serious physical risks. 

Ethiopian law also does not include free basic education or a compulsory age for the completion of education,making it easier for children to drop out of school and fall into the worst forms of child labour. 

In terms of policy and enforcement, social programs to address child labor do not sufficiently target sectors with high incidences of child labor, including agriculture and domestic work.9 As a result, many children in these sectors remain unprotected and underserved. Cultural barriers and legal inconsistencies also hinder progress. Some domestic laws, like Article 89.5 of the 2019 Labour Proclamation, permit children aged 15–16 to engage in hazardous work after vocational training, contradicting ILO Convention No. 138, which bans such work for all under 18. This creates confusion and weakens enforcement.10 

Some local authorities at lower level of administration and organizations working to protect child rights and providing services to vulnerable children do not know or have less awareness about the existence of such elaborate conventions and instruments. There is no training facilities or refreshment courses on new or existing laws on child labor for lower-level government stakeholders.11 

Furthermore, cultural norms and economic pressures contribute to the persistence of child labour. In many rural areas, it is considered normal for children to contribute to household income or learn family trades, which can conflict with legal restrictions and educational obligations.

4. Recommendations 

To effectively address child labour in Ethiopia and bring national laws into alignment with international standards, the following recommendations are proposed: 

• Harmonize Domestic Law with International Conventions 

Modify provisions of the Labour Proclamation particularly Article 89, to prohibit hazardous work for all children under 18, in line with ILO Convention No. 138. 

• Expand the Definition of Hazardous Work 

Update the national list of dangerous occupations to include industries where children are reported to be most at risk, such as traditional weaving, agriculture, and domestic work. 

• Enact Compulsory Education Laws 

Introduce a law making primary education both free and compulsory up to a certain minimum age to close the legal gap that currently opens up children vulnerable to early economic exploitation via school dropout. 

• Increase awareness and Training at Local Levels 

Provide regular training for local officials and community leaders to strengthen understanding and enforcement of child labour laws. 

• Strengthen Monitoring and Enforcement 

Increase resources and authority for labour inspectors and child protection officers, especially in rural and high-risk areas, including better funding, logical support, and legal authority.

       5. Conclusion 

In Ethiopia, far too many children still toil in fields, homes, and workshops—trapped in cycles of labour that deny them education, safety, and a childhood. 

Despite legal progress, gaps persist: hazardous work is still allowed for teens, key sectors remain unregulated, and education is not universally accessible. Cultural norms, poverty, and limited awareness deepen the problem. Ending child labour requires legal reform, education access, stronger enforcement, and community engagement. With targeted legal changes and inclusive social programs, Ethiopia can move toward eliminating child labour and securing a safer future for all children

6. Reference 

Books and Articles 

1. Admassie A, The Incidence of Child Labour in Africa with Empirical Evidence from Rural Ethiopia, ZEF Discussion Papers on Development Policy, No 32 (Zentrum für Entwicklungsforschung 2000) 
2. Busza J and others, ‘Accidental Traffickers: Qualitative Findings on Labour Recruitment in Ethiopia’ (2021) 15 International Journal of Human Trafficking 

Domestic Laws 

3. Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, art 36 
4. Proclamation No 1/1995 
5. Labour Proclamation No 1156/2019 
6. Civil Code of Ethiopia, art 2025 

Reports 

7. US Embassy–Addis Ababa, ‘Reporting’ (23 January 2023) 
8. Bureau of International Labor Affairs, Child Labor and Forced Labor Reports: Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor – Ethiopia (US Department of Labor, 2023) https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/ethiopia accessed 26 July 2025 
9. US Department of Labor, Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor – Ethiopia https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/ethiopia accessed 25 July 2025 

Studies and Papers 

10. Tekalign Ayalew, A Base Line Study on: Legal Frameworks and Actors Involved in Child Protection in Addis Ababa, Wolayita and Hadiya Districts, Ethiopia (2021) Dina Girmay Tadesse Legal intern, record of law 29 July 2025

1 Admassie A, The Incidence of Child Labour in Africa with Empirical Evidence from Rural Ethiopia, ZEF Discussion Papers on Development Policy (2000). 

2Busza J and others, ‘Accidental Traffickers: Qualitative Findings on Labour Recruitment in Ethiopia’ (2021) 15 International Journal of Human Trafficking 45 

3 US Embassy-Addis Ababa, ‘Reporting’ (23 January 2023). 

4 Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) Constitution, 1995, art 36. 

5 Labour proclamation No. 1156/2019 

6 Civil code of ethiopia article 2025 

7 Bureau of International Labor Affairs, Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor – Ethiopia (US Department of Labor, 2023) https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/ethiopia accessed 29 July 2025. 

8Tekalign Ayalew, A Baseline Study on Legal Frameworks and Actors Involved in Child Protection in Addis Ababa, Wolayita and Hadiya Districts, Ethiopia (2021). 

9 Bureau of International Labor Affairs, Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor – Ethiopia (US Department of Labor, 2023) https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/ethiopia accessed 25 July 2025. 

10 ibid 

11 Tekalign Ayalew, A Baseline Study on Legal Frameworks and Actors Involved in Child Protection in Addis Ababa, Wolayita and Hadiya Districts, Ethiopia (2021).