Prohibited Acts in Ethiopian Employment Law: What Employers and Workers Must Avoid
Understanding the legal framework within which businesses and employees operate is crucial for maintaining a harmonious and lawful workplace. Ethiopian employment law outlines list of Prohibited Acts that are banned for both employers and workers to ensure fair and safe working conditions. In this article, we explore into these list of prohibited acts, providing a clear guide to what must be avoided.
Prohibited Acts for Employers
Employers and managerial employees must refrain from engaging in certain actions that violate workers’ rights and safety. The following acts are unlawful:
- Restricting Workers’ Rights
- Employers must not restrain or retaliate against workers for exercising their legal rights.
- Discrimination Against Female Workers
- Discriminating against female workers in terms of remuneration based on their sex orientation is prohibited.
- Unlawful Termination
- Terminating a contract of employment contrary to the provisions of the proclamation is illegal.
- Coercion Regarding Trade Union Membership
- Employers must not coerce or compel workers to join or not join a trade union or manipulate union memberships and votes.
- Compelling Hazardous Work
- Compelling any worker to perform tasks that are hazardous to their life is forbidden.
- Discrimination
- Discrimination based on nationality, sex, religion, political outlook, HIV/AIDS status, disability, or any other grounds is illegal.
- Delaying Collective Bargaining
- Unduly delaying collective bargaining by withholding relevant information or acting in bad faith is prohibited.
- Sexual Harassment or Assault
- Committing sexual harassment or assault in the workplace is strictly forbidden.
- Physical Abuse
- Physically abusing anyone in the workplace is illegal.
- Coercion to Work or Discharge Obligations
- Coercing a worker in any manner to work or discharge an obligation is prohibited.
Prohibited Acts for Workers
Workers are also bound by certain legal restrictions to maintain a safe and productive work environment. The following acts are unlawful for workers:
- Endangering Life or Property
- Intentionally committing any act that endangers life or property in the workplace is prohibited.
- Unauthorized Removal of Property
- Taking property from the workplace without the employer’s express authorization is illegal.
- Use of Falsified Documents
- Using or attempting to use falsified documents is prohibited.
- Substance Abuse
- Using prohibited drugs or consuming alcoholic beverages, resulting in impaired physical and mental status at work, is forbidden.
- Refusal of Medical Examination
- Except for HIV/AIDS tests, refusing to submit to a medical examination required by law or requested by the employer for good cause is illegal.
- Ignoring Safety Rules
- Refusing to observe safety and accident prevention rules and failing to take necessary safety precautions is prohibited.
- Unauthorized Meetings
- Conducting meetings during working hours without regard to the time assigned by the collective agreement or without the employer’s permission is illegal.
- Sexual Harassment or Violence
- Committing sexual harassment or violence in the workplace is strictly forbidden.
- Physical Abuse
- Physically abusing anyone in the workplace is illegal.
Conclusion
Adhering to these prohibitions helps create a fair, safe, and respectful workplace. Employers and workers alike must be aware of these restrictions to avoid legal issues and foster a positive work environment. Understanding and complying with these legal stipulations is not only a matter of law but also a cornerstone of ethical and professional business practices. If you need further guidance on these list of prohibited acts, our legal experts are here to assist you.
If you have questions or comments or need representation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
