Capital

Meles on Somalia, AU, G8,Eritrea

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi gave a press conference at his office on Saturday May 9 on various issues. Excerpts of the PM's response to questions raised from journalists concerning current situation and other related issues follows:

CRBC-Addis wins over BERTA
Authority terminate first ever contract

By Groum Abate

NBE reject Awash Bank Board

By Groum Abate

Price shot up
Cement importation directive amended

By Groum Abate

Meles shows readiness for national consensus

By Andualem Sisay

Business community lament sur-tax

By Tedla Desta

Addis water at great risk: Scholar

By Tedla Desta

Microsoft to boost technology know-how in Africa

By Andualem Sisay

86 MPs opposed and 4 abstained
House approves Broadcasting Service Proclamation

By Andualem Sisay

Ethiopia secures 220 mln USD for roads

By Andualem Sisay

Fifteen staff of ABBI Weekly spend a day in custody

By Tedla Desta and Andualem Sisay

ILO to celebrate with farmers World Day against Child Labour
600 mln people in the world work “excessively” long hours: new study

Time for states to protect citizens

By Tedla Desta

Three best products of South to display on German trade fair
Traditional textiles have great potential for international market

By Andualem Sisay

Serkalem chosen for ‘Courage in Journalism’ award

By Groum Abate

CBE employees petition their anger

By Groum Abate

Forum awards Green Heroes
‘Developed nations can do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions’

By Andualem Sisay

Meles on Somalia, AU, G8,Eritrea

On Somalia

PM Meles Zenawi held talks with representatives of the Ethiopian Army, the Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi and President Abdullahi Yusuf during his surprise visit to Somalia. He also held separate talks with Mogadishu residents and clan elders.
During his one-day visit, Meles visited the newly opened Ethiopian embassy in Somalia.
According to the PM the UN Security Council ambassadors are expected to visit Ethiopia in the coming days. He hoped that they would back the AU financially so that additional peacekeeping troops could be deployed. The only hinder for the additional deployment of troops in Somalia is lack of fund, he said. Funds have been promised but have not yet been released.
Meles stressed that there is an enormous financial burden on Ethiopia. "Ethiopia wishes to be relieved from this burden and we hope and expect the Security Council to understand the burden we are shouldering."
He further urged the U.N. Security Council on Saturday to finance an African Union (AU) peacekeeping deployment to Somalia, so that Ethiopian troops can withdraw.
Meles comments come ahead of a meeting scheduled Monday 11th June at the AU, where members of the Security Council are due to hold discussions on Somalia and Sudan's Darfur crisis with the African Union in Addis Ababa.
Burundi is next on the short list of African countries who have pledged troops to the envisioned 8,000-strong force, but so far only Uganda has sent peacekeepers into Somalia. Its contingent of 1,600 soldiers has already been attacked by insurgents in Mogadishu.
Meles has said for months that he wanted to pull his troops out because of the expense of fielding a combat operation in Somalia.
Some parties including backers of the militant Islamist group and Somali nationalists have said any true peace will only come after Ethiopian soldiers leave, indicating that their presence has greatly complicated reconciliation negotiations.
The Somali government is due to hold a national reconciliation conference on Thursday, but few expect it to start on time because of the shaky security situation in the coastal capital.
Asked why he chose this time to go to Somalia, Meles said that he only went there because he has time to fly to Mogadishu and also to express his solidarity to the Somali Prime Minister who survived an assassination attempt. This is his first visit to Mogadishu.
"People in Mogadishu are totally tired of the situation in their city," added Meles. People are trying hard to make their lives as normal as possible under very difficult circumstances. He even saw women cleaning the streets of the city as he travels to various places from the airport to meet people.
Meles also commented that the economic situation in Somalia is not good but the political environment is encouraging.
He would not specify how many Ethiopian troops have been killed in the Somalia mission. Asked whether the figure was in the thousands, he said that was "out of range."

On G8 Summit

On the G8 summit, from which he just returned, PM Meles simply said that some members of the G8 countries fulfilled their obligation but some have not done so.
He appreciated the new initiative to combat HIV/AIDS and Malaria, and said the G8 pledged that the problems that block the Doha rounds will be removed in the coming few weeks.

On AU Summit

Since the establishment of the AU, there have been differing news as to what the AU is all about, whether it is one unit or whether it's a union of independent states. The constituting act of the AU is quite clear on that, it clearly states that the AU is a union of independent states, Meles explained.
Some members wanted united state; and the hope is that the Accra summit, which is going to be held by the end of this month would resolve this issue once and for all.

On Eritrea

Eritrea has become the Mecca of all armed oppositions including terrorists, said PM Meles.
It is not just the accusation of Ethiopia but the facts are there to prove it. Eritrea is moving in the direction of a pariah state harbouring terrorists in the region, he said.
The PM hopes that the Security Council would live up to its expectations with regards to the cease fire agreement.

CRBC-Addis wins over BERTA
Authority terminate first ever contract

By Groum Abate

The Addis Ababa Caretaker Administration cabinet selected CRBC Addis Engineering to construct the road projects it took away from BERTA Construction.
The Addis Ababa Road Authority (AARA) terminated on Friday May 8 for the first time in its history, a contractual agreement with BERTA construction for the construction of two roads worth over 160 million birr.
Fekade Haile, General Manager of the Authority told Capital that the city's cabinet decided to give the contract to CRBC Addis Engineering after analyzing the importance of the road project.
According to the manager, BERTA has only completed 8% of the project in nearly a year's time when it should have completed 60%.
The authority has repeatedly warned BERTA over the delay of the project, while the community living around the project constantly complained.
Fekade said that BERTA has not taken an advance payment as it failed to produce a bank guarantee bond. Instead, according to a directive by the Ministry of Works and Urban Development, the advance payment would be released step by step after opening a joint account with the authority, where BERTA only withdrew once.
The consultants of the project assessed the properties of BERTA but found one mixer only at the sites, added the General Manager.
Fekade told Capital that the contractor was advised to present a revised delivery schedule on several occasion but failed to do so. BERTA had won the bid to construct the two roads in Addis Ababa for a total project cost of 160 million birr, beating out SUR, VARNERO, and DMC construction companies.
The first road project of 4.1km stretches from the African Union, through Pushkin Square to Mekanisa ring road. The second, 4km, stretches from the Bisrate Gabriel telecommunications office to Desie Hotel and from the telecommunications to Pushkin Square.
BERTA Construction was established in 1969 by two civil engineers Berhane Abate and Taddesse Haileselassie. Soon after its establishment, the company was engaged in various types of civil engineering projects. It included construction of roads, bridges, irrigation schemes and water supply systems. It also built hotels, residential units, office buildings and factories across Ethiopia. As a result of its effective performance, BERTA had gained the appreciation and respect of both its employers and competitors.
However, like many other private companies, BERTA was nationalized in 1982 by the Derg regime and was under government administration for 11 years until it was returned to its legitimate owners by a court order in 1993.
After BERTA returned to its owners, the company has once again re-organized itself and launched a series of work programs through revitalizing the existing work force and equipment. As a result, the company was able to complete a number of building projects inherited while it was run by the government. Furthermore, it has won several new projects which the company has completed or is working on at the present time.

NBE reject Awash Bank Board

By Groum Abate

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) rejected the new Board of Directors Awash International Bank S.C had elected during its 12th General Assembly.
The supervising authority advised its position in a letter it sent to Awash bank earlier this week recommending that the bank holds another election.
Out of the 12 Board of Directors who were elected during the 12th General Assembly on April 21 at the Addis Abeba Hilton, six were new. Six members of the previous Board of Directors, including Leikun Berhanu, president of the Bank, Antonio Carnevale, Abeba Negash, Jatani Moudda, Belisa Gobosho, and Kena'a Daba were not re-elected.
The controversial election replaced these six with Kebede Borena, Amsalu Buzuneh, Tenax Plc, Mitiku Abeshu, Kibret Shuma and Abebe Hateu.
According to NBE, the Bank's Board should at least have a first degree or should complete secondary education and must have experience in bank management.
The new directive that was issued on June 2nd also restricts board members and chairpersons from staying in their post for over a period of two terms or a maximum of six years.
Furthermore the directive also restricts bank presidents from being part of the board of the bank.
Some shareholders had complained that the new board members do not fulfill the requirement set by NBE.
This is not the first disputed Board of Directors' election for Awash; a similar dispute occurred four years ago during Bulcha Demeksa's time as Board Director, which was resolved following a re-election reinstating Bulcha.
Shareholders who allege irregularities in the election process say the Chairman of the Board of Directors mishandled the election process, weakening the Bank's sister company, Awash Insurance SC. These groups have started gathering petitions to call an extraordinary meeting to have a re-election.
Awash Bank has 2,380 shareholders and was the first private bank in Ethiopia, established 11 years ago.

Price shot up
Cement importation directive amended

By Groum Abate

Ministry of Trade and Industry amends the directive of importation of cement to the country.
According to the amended directive, the limit of cement importation, which was 25,000 tons previously, has now been reduced to 3,000 tons.
The Ministry has so far given licenses to 35 companies that have applied to import cement. These companies import 306,000 tons of cement since the issuance of the directive.
Businesses that are undertaking construction projects and that will supply cement to the market were registered and were involved in the project.
Following the issuance of a directive that provides for the importation of cement in early October this year, 42 companies had applied for the importation. However, only 35 met the requirements.
Amendment were made on the directive allowing companies that carry out construction projects to import less than 25,000 tons of cement. The minimum amount allowed to any importer as per the previous directive was 25,000 tons.
The recently-licensed investment project on cement production also raises hopes of the government that is taking action to stabilize the price and minimize the shortage witnessed over the last few years.
The price of cement in the local market has dramatically increased to 250 birr per quintal from 160 birr per quintal in the last two weeks.

Meles shows readiness for national consensus

By Andualem Sisay

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi highlighted his government’s readiness to create national consensus by talking with different groups in the country including with the arrested Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) leaders and other rebel groups.
At the press briefing he called yesterday, June 9, 2007 at his office for both local and international media, as the major objective of celebrating the beginning of the third Ethiopian Millennium is to create national consensus among various groups of the society, he expressed his government’s willingness to talk to those who have even taken up arms against the government.
Contrary to his usual responses regarding arrested CUD leaders which maintained that, ‘their case is in the hands of the court’, Meles showed his government’s readiness to talk to CUD leaders for the sake of creating national consensus during the third Ethiopian Millennium celebrations if the CUD leaders approach the government.
Responding to the question if his government is going to release the CUD leaders as requested by the residents of Addis Ababa at the recent discussions made between his party leaderships and residents, the Prime Minister said: “During the meetings that EPRDF officials held with the residents of Addis Ababa, the issue of the detained leaders of the CUD did not come up frequently. It was not raised by all that many people as such; there were some individuals who did raise it; but on the whole, this was not the agenda of the participants in the meeting.”
“It is up to the leaders themselves whether to abandon their previous destructive policy and strategies and seek to be part and parcel of the peaceful democratic process. It is the responsibility of government to take people who have violated the law to court and we have done that. It is up to them to take the next step if they want to rehabilitate themselves in the political process in Ethiopia,” he said.
Expressing his government’s approach regarding the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), which recently killed 9 Chinese and 64 Ethiopians at an oil field in the eastern part of the country, Meles indicated the effort that his government made so far and on the way forward.
“We did indeed make a lot of effort to talk to the ONLF, especially in 2005. However, it has become abundantly clear that these groups are unwilling to respond to our peace offers and have now become part and parcel of the Eritrean government’s agenda for the destabilization of our country,” he said.
“Under such circumstances,” said the Prime Minister, “the national consensus we hope to build will be targeted at isolating such groups and building consensus for peace within our country and the need to avoid being used as a pole by foreign powers to destabilize Ethiopia. That I think, could be the basis of consensus that we build during the Millennium celebrations. I believe we have made some progress in that regard.”
In addition to other national issues such as inflation, the Ethiopian Telecommunication Authority and the Ethio-Eritrea border issue, Meles also responded to various international issues such as the Somalia situation and the G-8 Summit among others.

Business community lament sur-tax

By Tedla Desta

Members of the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations and the business community have expressed their dissatisfaction over the implementation of the newly imposed sur tax directive’s implementation.
During the deliberation held on the implementation of the surtax directive between the Business Community and Officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MOFED), and the Customs Authority at the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Scectoral Associations, business representatives said that they are user with the implementation of the surtax directive and Schedule One payment.
They said although they were required to pay under Schedule 2 payment tariffs they were however made to pay under Schedule 1.
Due to 10 percent increases caused by the recent surtax orders, they have encountered problems with purchases made months back but were delivered late, as they cannot make price adjustments.
Fekadu Bekele, Department Head of Tariff and Cost Affairs at the Ethiopian Customs Authority, said that the imposition of the tax was necessitated with a view to build the financial capacity of the government for the intervention program to solve the rise in the cost of living, which is particularly affecting urban residents of low and medium income level.
“The 10 per cent surtax will be put only on a limited number of imported goods. However, basic goods and items for investment purposes are exempted from the surtax.
Imported goods on which surtax is imposed include among others automobiles, clothes, packed food, electronics, beverages, jewelry and perfumes. “ He said.
Schedule 1 concentrates on local industries and said low tariff products cannot go to the second and local industries are protected not through tax but through tariff, Desta Lambamo, From the Macro Economy Policy and Management Department Finance and Economic Development Minister stated.
There is also an issue with the taxation of raw material. “We import iron and metal products and we are taxed, .However, the surprising fact is that other companies which bring the same product of similar quality and type are not taxed. Due to this, we are currently performing below profit margin”, he lamented.
Another representative of the trade community said “Locally produced goods, fuel, lubricants, investment goods, goods that serve as inputs for local manufacture, passenger buses, trucks, medicines, fertilizer, and other goods that are already decided by law to be tax-free will be exempted from surtax. However, though drugs are part of this list, as importers of pharmaceutical items, we are being taxed.”
Wassihun Abate, Legal Services Head at MOFED replied saying that some local drug producers have complained that they are losing business due to the import of a few medicines.
“The taxed drugs aren’t more than 10 or 11 but the rest of the imported drugs are free of tax. However, studies are being made to reconsider them so it will be solved very soon.”
Taxation on construction machineries and raw materials was one of the most debated issues.
“It is to be recalled that surtax was imposed in 2000 when the country was at war with Eritrea. Such a tax system is put into effect to meet a specific target. Accordingly, the surtax, which is introduced now, will be lifted when the grain market is stabilized.” Desta Lambamo of MOFED said.
Surtax is a tax charged on certain business transactions. At present, it is limited to imports, locally produced goods and services. Nevertheless, reports state that there are plans underway to introduce surtax to wholesale and retail stages in the world over.

Addis water at great risk: Scholar

By Tedla Desta

The groundwater of Addis Ababa is at great risk due to over pollution from industries, residential areas and over pumping, Dr. Tamiro Alemayehu, Earth Scientist at the Addis Ababa University said.
According to the researcher a paper presented on “Water and Industry: Use, Management, and Industrial Pollution in Ethiopia”, there is a great risk of water contamination and over pumping in Addis Ababa.
He said most ground water in Addis Ababa is contaminated with especially, the water around the stadium area more so. There is now the risk of contamination of the Akaki well field due to discharges from new industrial sites.
Of the hazard centers that are causing the contamination: 410 garages, 148 health centers and around 92 petrol stations found in the capital affect the water system most, respectively.
Dr. Tamiru said that 60% of the water resource in Addis Ababa hails from surface water while 40% comes from ground water springs and boreholes. In addition, there are more than 600 boreholes in the city owned by private users and another 20 major springs exist.
“Urban growth that is 7 square km/year, very slow water supply, industrialization and salitation of reservoirs are the main challenges of Addis Ababa’s water, “ he said.

Microsoft to boost technology know-how in Africa

By Andualem Sisay

The first regional best practices forum on the use of information and communication technology (ICT) took place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from June 7-9, 2007 to encourage interaction among users and providers.
The two-day meeting is jointly organized by the Burkina Faso government, Economic Commission for Africa, the African Development Bank and Microsoft. The forum will be replicated in east and southern Africa over a one-year period.
“I would like this Forum to be an occasion for African governments, their advisory institutions and ICT experts to share their experiences, so that we can build an inclusive information society to serve the sustainable development of our countries,” said Blaise Compaoré President of Burkina Faso on the Sub-Regional ICT Forum.
In ECA’s case, the forum is part of implementing the African Information Society Initiative (AISI). It will enable governments, donors, institutions and other interested groups from west and central Africa to share their own best practices.
Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank on his part said: “Closing the digital divide, thereby enhancing the capacity of individuals, governments and institutions to leverage IT capabilities is agreed as one of the principal challenges today.”
“ICT plays a cross-cutting and essential role in enabling the African Development Bank to fulfill its mission. We are all aware of the potential of IT to enable our countries to “leapfrog” in certain aspects of development,” he said.
Although the deal is not yet over, Microsoft and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) are currently engaged in talks to introduce a program that provides used computers of Europe and America to Africa, in order to help the continent catch up with the rest of the world. Some also describe the move as a program that will make Africa a dumping of old computers and ICT equipments. They also suggest that such forums are aimed to pave the way for the implementation of the program.
According to a recent European Union forum, if all the IT innovations from the various African countries were integrated into one single country (fictionally called ‘Africana’), it would be the 12th most technologically advanced nation in the world. This shows that African countries have a lot to learn from each other, as well as globally.

The level of interest in technology solutions to critical development challenges in Africa is high. By providing a forum to exchange experiences and demonstrate practical successes, it is hoped that practitioners will create a roadmap for the future to boost the effectiveness of public sector institutions.
It is believed to allow for successful technology solutions to be more easily replicated throughout the region, particularly given the shortage of skills.
Participants from Mali, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Cote D’voire, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Mauritania, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Cape Verde, Congo, Congo Republic, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia and Equatorial Guinea have attended the forum.
Microsoft, together with its organizing partners, will produce a “best practices” website exclusive to the Africa region to highlight issues discussed at the forums, as well as other ICT4D best practices.

86 MPs opposed and 4 abstained
House approves Broadcasting Service Proclamation

By Andualem Sisay

The House of Peoples Representatives on Thursday June 7, 2007 approved the Broadcasting Service Proclamation with 255 votes while 86 opposed and 4 abstained.
The House with its 2nd year 33rd meeting approved the proclamation with the improvements that has been suggested during the previous discussions in the parliament and other groups of the society. But those Members of Parliament (MPs) who voted against the decision have indicated their dissatisfaction with the revised bill and some claimed that the previous was better than the final.
Some opposition MPs have even opposed the need of having a separate Broadcast Service Proclamation out of the Press Law, which is under discussion with the ruling party and the opposition, “since both are concern freedom of expression”.
Others claimed that broadcast has to be regulated by the public, rather than the government. “…such experience is only observed in some countries like China and Cuba, which we do not have to use their experience,” said one MP.
An article of the proclamation that forbids political parties to own broadcast medium is also criticized by some, as deliberate systems formulated to exclude opposition parties from owning broadcast allowing only the ruling party to monopoly use it. Controlling and surpris checkups of broadcasters, which is set to be implemented by the Broadcasting Agency is also among the articles of the proclamation that is criticized in the House.
“The ruling party as it has got the majority voice of the public came to power, and as a government, it has the responsibility to rule the country based on the interest of the people implementing rule of law through controlling and monitoring mechanisms,” said one PM who supported the proclamation while responding to the critics.

Ethiopia secures 220 mln USD for roads

By Andualem Sisay

Ethiopia secured a 220 mln USD loan that will be used for constructing 580 kms of road.
The World Bank and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), signed the loan agreement on Friday June 8, 2007. The fund will also be used for institutional strengthening of the Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA), towards modernization and preparation of the sector and engineering studies through the provision of technical support.
Activities like upgrading and rehabilitation of federal trunk roads, namely the 107 km Gondar-Debark road, Gedo-Nekemt, 134 km, and Aposto-Wondo-Negele, 268 km. Supervision of civil works and contracts will be implemented by the fund. The construction of the Yalo-Nehile 70 km regional road including design review and supervision will also be undertaken.
After signing the agreement, Mr. Issac Diwan, World Bank Country Director for Ethiopia and the Sudan said: “We are very happy to work with you in this important sector.” Sufian Ahmed, Minister of MoFED, on his part also highlighted the significant contribution of the money for Ethiopia’s infrastructure development program.
According to the agreement, the fund will be used to finance the road sector development’s stage III project. The project aims to assist the country in strengthening and increasing its road transport infrastructure and improving the reliability thereof.
It will also be used to strengthen the institutional capacity in quality and efficiency of road construction, management and maintenance and creating conducive conditions for the domestic construction industry to develop the road transport sector.
It is recalled that the new nominee for President of the World Bank, Ambassador Robert Zoellick, visited Ethiopia this week on Thursday June 7, 2007 after a trip to Ghana the previous day.

Fifteen staff of ABBI Weekly spend a day in custody

By Tedla Desta and Andualem Sisay

Fifteen members of ABBI Weekly spent a day at the Federal Police Commission Crime and Forensic Investigation on Thursday June 7, 2007.
According to the Media Director, Firew Abebe, on Wednesday afternoon they were given a letter from the Federal Police Commission summoning them on Thursday morning, to discuss press issues at Federal Police Commission Crime and Forensic Investigation headquarters.
Another member of ABBI weekly told Capital that he was questioned in relation to the licensing of the newspaper.
“We were asked if we knew whether the newspaper had a license and who the owner is, about the newspaper’s circulation, where it’s published at, and other questions,” he added.
There were around six investigators to interrogate them on various issues including the background of the staff, according to the source.
“What is not clear to me is that all 15 members of the newspaper were summoned. If they were in need of discussing about press issues or the license, they should have contacted the relevant person,” Firew commented.
On the other hand, Tamirat Hailu, Publisher, and Editor of the Amharic Fashion, told Capital that the cause for the current problem is a criminal case relating to the ban on ABBI’s license by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The disagreement that started between My Fashion, an English magazine published by Reliance Africa and Fashion, an Amharic publication owned by Tamirat, over the naming of the magazine is still pending.
“Since the case of the names began, the Ministry of Information had ordered the owner to change its name and if not, that they would cancel their license. As a result, the license of ABBI was revoked on January 2007. However, Reliance continues to publish all its newspapers and magazines.” Tamirat said.
Capital learnt that the fifteen staff members of the newspaper including the owner, Dr. Fisseha Eshetu were released on bail after being fingerprinted.
According to the official website of ABBI Weekly, it is a weekly paper published by the African Business Resource Center of the Capacity Building Institute,an organ of Unity University College in collaboration with Kidus LLC. Reliance Africa publishes ABBI Sport, Tender and Vacancy, and My Fashion.

ILO to celebrate with farmers World Day against Child Labour
600 mln people in the world work “excessively” long hours: new study

In commemoration of World Day Against Child Labor on June 12, ILO Ethiopia with other partners plans to celebrate the day with a half day program on a farm at Akaki/Kaliti Sub-city in Addis Ababa, involving the active participation of farmers and their children.
This year’s World Day Against Child Labor is to focus on the elimination of child labor in agriculture, which is the most dangerous form of work for children and adults. The event involves educational dramas, experiences of farmers and teachers on how heavy duties in farms affect education and lives of the children.
According to the estimation of ILO’s International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor (IPEC), all over the world, over 100 mln boys and girls aged 5-14 work as child laborers on farms and plantations.
The children are often exposed to hazards and risks that run the gamut from the mixing, handling and application of toxic pesticides to using dangerous cutting tools, to working in extreme temperatures and operating powerful farm vehicles and heavy machinery.
The World Day Against Child Labor is observed worldwide on or around 12 June each year. It is aimed to serve as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labor.
In a related news a, new study by the International Labor Office estimates that one in five workers around the world – or over 600 million persons – are still working more than 48 hours a week, often merely to make ends meet.
The new study, “Working Time Around the World: Trends in working hours, laws and policies in a global comparative perspective” says an estimated 22 per cent of the global workforce, or 614.2 million workers, are working “excessively” long hours. Shorter hours, the report says, can have positive consequences including benefits to workers’ health and family lives, reduced accidents at the workplace, as well as greater productivity and equality between the sexes.
At the same time, the study says a considerable number of short-hours workers in developing and transition countries may be underemployed, and thus more likely to fall into poverty.
The study spotlights working time in over 50 countries, and for the first time explores the implications for working time policies in developing and transition countries. For the most part, it shows that the distribution of working hours in developing and transition countries to be highly diverse, with some individuals working very long hours, and others working short hours.
In terms of those countries with the highest incidence of long working hours for 2004-05 (defined as more than 48 hours per week), Peru topped the list at 50.9 per cent of workers, the Republic of Korea at 49.5 per cent, Thailand at 46.7 per cent, and Pakistan at 44.4 per cent . In developed countries, where working hours are typically shorter, the United Kingdom stood at 25.7 per cent, Israel at 25.5 per cent, Australia at 20.4 per cent, Switzerland at 19.2 per cent, and the United States at 18.1 per cent.
Attempts to reduce hours in these countries have been unsuccessful for various reasons including the need of workers to work long hours simply to make ends meet and the widespread use of overtime by employers in an effort to increase their enterprises’ output under conditions of low productivity, the report says, noting that, generally speaking, laws and policies on working time have a limited influence on actual working hours in developing economies, especially in terms of maximum weekly hours, overtime payments and their effect on informal employment.

Time for states to protect citizens

By Tedla Desta

If a state fails to protect its people from genocide and other such man made catastrophes, through incapacity or ill will, then the responsibility to protect shifts to the international community, which stresses that states should protect their citizens.
This was reported at a workshop organized by Oxfam in collaboration with Africa Humanitarian Action (AHA.) themed “The African Union and Responsibility to Protect: from Non-Interference to Non-Indifference,” the first of its kind in Africa.
The responsibility to protect expresses a commitment to a continuum of action, from prevention to reaction and rebuilding, with an emphasis on prevention. A 2001 report by the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty entitled The Responsibility to Protect, recommended that governments adopt these principles; in September 2005, the international community in the 2005 UN Summit declaration endorsed key elements of the responsibility to protect.
The end of the 20th century was marked by a change in the nature of armed conflict. Internal conflicts replaced inter-sate conflict and civilians now make up the vast majority of causalities, it was said on the meeting.
The genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, and Bosnia, as well as crimes against humanity in Kosovo, East Timor, and Darfur have demonstrated massive failures by the international community to prevent atrocities. After these failures, there was a recognized need to shift the debate about crisis prevention and response: the security of the community and the individuals, not only the state, must be priorities for national and international policies, a document stated.
Oxfam is an international humanitarian organization that works with other bodies since 1943 to overcome poverty and suffering in the world. AHA is a pan-African non-governmental organization providing effective
humanitarian assistance to alleviate human suffering, building on the strength of African people to solve African problems.

Three best products of South to display on German trade fair
Traditional textiles have great potential for international market

By Andualem Sisay

The Best products of the South 2007, a competition focusing on micro and small enterprises in the region concluded Sunday June 3, in Awassa, by selecting three sectors of best products of the region believed to have potential on the international market.
Spices, traditional textiles and agro product products were selected as items which are most likely to be competent on the international market with additional assistances by other sectors. Fana Food Processing and Gamo Weaving Enterprise in Micro and Small Enterprises Associations’ category and Amareo Gayo Agro Processing in Individual Business Enterprises category were winners.
The three lucky winners now have tickets to Germany and will participate in the world’s biggest trade fair in October to promote their region’s products. The idea of the competition is to raise micro and small enterprises of the Southern Region from obscurity and help them access national and international markets.
The project was organized and under implementation by Engineering Capacity Building Program (ECBP), in collaboration with the Trade and Industry Bureau of Awassa, German and, Awassa Chambers of commerce and the German Marketing Institution for Agro-products.
“As 98 per cent of the region’s products are produced by small and micro enterprises, neglecting this majority would be a mistake,” says Joern Bernhardt, Regional Program Coordinator at ECBP.
“The exhibition is aimed to open the pathway for best products of micro and small enterprises of the Southern Region to enter widely into the national and international level. It does not mean that these products are going to conquer the whole world right away. But, inviting them to such international fairs gives them the opportunity to get information and feedbacks from the international business community such as importers, distributors etc.”
“We don’t think that the European market is the only market for these products, but the exposure at German trade fairs will help them to meet with importers who will advise them to become competent in other markets: such as China, India, and Brazil. It is such an experience that makes them competent on international markets in the end and encourages other micro and small enterprises of the region to follow in their footsteps,” Mr. Bernhardt added.
Out of the15 mln inhabitants of the Southern Region, currently only 66,000 people are engaged in micro and small business. Since 2006, the region has budgeted 67 mln birr to loan out to micro and small enterprises over three years.
“Because of the ever-increasing demand, we are planning to raise the money,” says GebreMeskel Chala, Regional Micro and Small Enterprises Agency General Manager. “We want to enable at least 10 per cent of these enterprises to be able to provide their products to the international market.”
Other than providing loans, the Agency supports micro and small enterprises of the region by providing small business management training, consultancy and other services.
The organizers aim to hold such competitions in the region every year. To ensure its sustainability to build the capacity of the institutions that can takeover the project from ECBP in the future, one representative from the Awassa City Chamber and another from the Trade and Industry along with the winners will travel to Germany, according to Ulrich Plein Chambers and Associations Expert.
In addition to awarding the internationally competent producers of the Southern region, the organizers have also awarded those who were chosen at national level.
Southern Ethiopia is home for 56 indigenous groups with distinct languages and cultures. In addition, three big Rift Valley lakes (Awassa, Abaya and Chamo), forest reserves and five national parks that host innumerable species of birds and wild life make the region unique.
The Ethio-German Engineering Capacity Building Program (ECBP), which is the major organizer of the competition was established under the Ministry of Capacity Building and has been working to foster the on-going economic development of Ethiopia with a budget of more than 180 mln Euros for five years.
It has been involved in four major areas in the last two years: private sector development, technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET), quality and standards and private sector development.

Serkalem chosen for ‘Courage in Journalism’ award

By Groum Abate

Serkalem Fasil, former co-owner and publisher of the Menilik, Asqual and Satenaw newspapers, and who was recently released from prison after being acquitted in the CUD trial, has won from the International Women’s Media Foundation, the Courage in Journalism Award, the foundation announced.
Serkalem, wife of Eskinder Nigussie, co-owner of the three newspapers, along with other journalists, was arrested and faced charges of treason.
The former co-owner and publisher was among editors and reporters of independent and privately-owned newspapers arrested after the May 2005 parliamentary elections.
The journalists were accused of genocide and treason, charges that could ential life imprisonment. While in jail, Fasil gave birth to and breastfed a child who was born premature and underweight.
She was released from prison in April 2007.
A Mexican journalist who travels with guards because of ongoing threats to her life, and a group of women reporters who every day risk their lives to cover the war in Iraq, are the recipients of this year’s International Women’s Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Awards.
“These women have shown dedication and bravery in reporting and in their commitment to journalism,” said Judy Woodruff, chair of the IWMF Courage in Journalism Awards. “They tell tough stories that need to be told, and in doing so, help defend freedom of the press.”
Created in 1990, the IWMF Courage in Journalism Awards honor women journalists who have shown extraordinary strength of character and integrity while reporting the news under dangerous or difficult circumstances. This year’s awards will be presented at ceremonies in New York on October 23 and in Los Angeles on October 30.
The International Women’s Media Foundation was launched in 1990 with a mission to strengthen the role of women in the news media worldwide. The IWMF network includes women and men in the media in more than 130 countries worldwide.

CBE employees petition their anger

By Groum Abate

Employees of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE), petitioned against receiving the 300 condominium units the bank’s administration bought from the Addis Ababa Care Taker Administration.
The distribution of the houses has raised controversy as individuals waiting in line to take ownership said the terms and conditions are unclear and not up to their expectations.
The administration decided in favor of selling the condominiums to CBE because the bank offered to buy all of them and to effect the payment in one installment.
Although the bank asked for 1400 units, the administration provided a limit of only 300.
The employees voiced their grievances against the method with which the management tried to distribute the houses to its workers.
The president of the bank had selected a four-member committee, two from the labor union and two from the management.
The committee then prepared and distributed a form to all bank employees in order to select those who deserve to own the houses.
However, employees are unhappy about the process because of what they say are vague requirements. They also said that the time allotted for filling in the forms was very short and that there were many employees who did not receive the forms.
The committee had set a deadline for the return of the completed forms.
Those who did not apply for condominiums earlier will not be given the priority to acquire the houses, according to the directive by the administration.
The condominium project started in Addis Ababa with the aim of alleviating the chronic shortage of housing in the city and to benefit people with low income. There are about 400,000 people registered for the project.
Many of these individuals were told that they can acquire the condominiums and have already made downpayments and are waiting to receive the keys to their houses.

Forum awards Green Heroes
‘Developed nations can do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions’

By Andualem Sisay

Forum for Environment (FFE), an indigenous NGO, has awarded fifteen Green Heroes of 2007 at a ceremony held at the National Palace on World Environment Day, June 5, 2007.
Girma Wolde Giorgis, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Patron of the FfE, awarded 15 individuals and organizations selected by the FfE. The awards are in five categories: Civil Society, Organizations, Business Community, Youth Associations and Individuals. Certificates and trophies were handed out to three Green Heroes’ in each category.
The institutions and individuals were selected by their achievements in protecting the environment from degradation and introducing alternative energy sources for their communities and raising awareness on how them to conserve the environment.
Dano Sengota Cooperatives from Oromia Region, Gedio Agro Forestry Community and Konso Community from the Southern Region were winners from the Civic Society category. The Institute of Sustainable Development, the Bio Economic Association and the Organization of Rehabilitation and Development of Amhara were the three chosen from the Organizations category.
From the Business Community, Merkeni Kelifa Ahmed from Benishangul Gumz, Harar Brewery and Hamdi Nursery and Agro Cooperative from the Somali Region have been named Green Heroes. Tesfa Ethiopia Youth from Akaki, Addis Ababa, Amba 13 from Benishangul Gumz and Endegena natural compose are selected from Youth Associations category.
Gemal Oumar from Benishangul Gumz, Tilahun Tiruneh who was once a streetchild and the late Yilma Getachew who passed away three months ago, were named Green Heroes of the year 2007 in the individuals class.
Under the theme this year of Melting ice: A Hot Topic’ World Environment Day was celebrated on Tuesday June 5 in the year’s host city of Tromso, Norway.
“Developed countries in particular can do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage energy efficiency. They can also support clean development in fast-growing economies such as Brazil, China and India, as well as adaptation measures in those countries that face the greatest hardships from climate change,” said United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in his message on World Environment Day.
Society’s dependence on fossil fuels is jeopardizing social and economic progress and the world’s future security, according to the Secretary General.“On this World Environment Day, let us recognize the need to slow the momentum of the dramatic environmental changes we are seeing at the poles and around the globe. Fortunately, there are many policy and technological options available to avert the impending crisis, but we need increased political will to use them.”
On his part King Harold V of Norway said: “It is Norway’s hope that World Environment Day activities can be many and diverse, reflecting the whole range of steps that need to be taken over time to reverse global environmental trends.”
With the purpose of focusing worldwide attention on the importance of the environment and stimulate political attention and action, this is for the 21st time that the United Nations Environment Program has celebrated World Environment Day throughout the world.

The long awaited Ethiopian Millennium celebration began on Tuesday June 5, 2007 with planting indigenous tree at the Millennium Park in Addis Ababa, Yeka sub city. Ambassadors and Diplomats along with higher government officials including President Girma Wolde Giorgis and other residents of the city participated in planting the trees. Various regions have also planted trees throughout the week.
The exercise is part of a national tree-planting initiative that aims to plant 52 million trees before Ethiopia’s year-long millennium celebrations. Every Ethiopian is expected to plant at least two trees.

Meles on Somalia, AU, G8,Eritrea

CRBC-Addis wins over BERTA Authority terminate first ever contract

NBE reject Awash Bank Board

Price shot up Cement importation directive amended

Meles shows readiness for national consensus

Business community lament sur-tax

Addis water at great risk: Scholar

Microsoft to boost technology know-how in Africa

86 MPs opposed and 4 abstained House approves Broadcasting Service Proclamation

Ethiopia secures 220 mln USD for roads

Fifteen staff of ABBI Weekly spend a day in custody

ILO to celebrate with farmers World Day against Child Labour 600 mln people in the world work “excessively” long hours: new study

Time for states to protect citizens

Three best products of South to display on German trade fair Traditional textiles have great potential for international market

Serkalem chosen for ‘Courage in Journalism’ award

CBE employees petition their anger

Forum awards Green Heroes ‘Developed nations can do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions’

Meles on Somalia, AU, G8,Eritrea

CRBC-Addis wins over BERTA Authority terminate first ever contract

NBE reject Awash Bank Board

Price shot up Cement importation directive amended

Meles shows readiness for national consensus

Business community lament sur-tax

Addis water at great risk: Scholar

Microsoft to boost technology know-how in Africa

86 MPs opposed and 4 abstained House approves Broadcasting Service Proclamation

Ethiopia secures 220 mln USD for roads

Fifteen staff of ABBI Weekly spend a day in custody

ILO to celebrate with farmers World Day against Child Labour 600 mln people in the world work “excessively” long hours: new study

Time for states to protect citizens

Three best products of South to display on German trade fair Traditional textiles have great potential for international market

Serkalem chosen for ‘Courage in Journalism’ award

CBE employees petition their anger

Forum awards Green Heroes ‘Developed nations can do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions’

CRBC-Addis wins over BERTA
Authority terminate first ever contract

Price shot up
Cement importation directive amended

86 MPs opposed and 4 abstained
House approves Broadcasting Service Proclamation

ILO to celebrate with farmers World Day against Child Labour
600 mln people in the world work “excessively” long hours: new study

Three best products of South to display on German trade fair
Traditional textiles have great potential for international market

Forum awards Green Heroes
‘Developed nations can do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions’

CRBC-Addis wins over BERTA
Authority terminate first ever contract

Price shot up
Cement importation directive amended

86 MPs opposed and 4 abstained
House approves Broadcasting Service Proclamation

ILO to celebrate with farmers World Day against Child Labour
600 mln people in the world work “excessively” long hours: new study

Three best products of South to display on German trade fair
Traditional textiles have great potential for international market

Forum awards Green Heroes
‘Developed nations can do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions’