Ethiopia and Kuwait have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Addis Ababa to collaborate on foreign employment initiatives.
The agreement was signed by Ethiopia’s Minister of Jobs and Skills, Muferihat Kamil, and the Ambassador of Kuwait to Ethiopia, Naif Hannes Al Otaibi.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Minister of State for Work and Skills Solomon Soka, Daniel Teresa, Ethiopian Ambassador to Kuwait Saeed Muhammad, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Ethiopia Naif Hannes Al Otaibi, and other senior officials from both countries.
The MoU aims to create a cooperative environment where the rights and interests of Ethiopians employed in Kuwait will be protected, ensuring they have access to legal employment opportunities.
Kuwait, an oil-rich Middle Eastern nation, has previously expressed a desire to formalize an agreement with Ethiopia to accept workers who have completed three months of mandatory training.
Following the agreement, approximately 600 labor liaison agencies in Ethiopia will facilitate the provision of manpower to Kuwait.
Ethiopian workers must undergo at least three months of training at an accredited institution before traveling to Kuwait for employment.
Historically, Kuwait has sourced domestic workers from the Philippines. However, due to recent tensions between Kuwait and the Philippines, Kuwait is now facing a labor shortage and is looking to Ethiopia to fill this gap.
According to the agreement between the Ethiopian and Kuwaiti governments, Ethiopian workers will be paid 90 Kuwaiti dinars (approximately $300) per month, equivalent to about 18,000 Ethiopian Birr at the current exchange rate.
In the future, monthly payments may increase to up to $500. The Ethiopian government has also initiated similar agreements with Beirut, other Asian countries, and European nations.
Ethiopia has substantial experience in providing workers to Middle Eastern countries. Recently, Ethiopia announced plans to send 500,000 citizens to Saudi Arabia this year alone.
Concurrently, Ethiopia is repatriating its citizens who lack legal residence permits and are currently imprisoned in Middle Eastern countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced plans to repatriate 70,000 Ethiopians who are imprisoned in other Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia. Since April 2024, 30,000 Ethiopians have returned to Ethiopia through coordinated efforts with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and other affiliated institutions.
