In an ongoing effort to ensure living wages and decent working conditions, the WageIndicator Living Wage and Decent Work Check initiative is set to embark on Phase III, further expanding its reach and impact in Ethiopia. This project, titled “Living Wages in Flowers, Garment & Leather in Ethiopia – Phase III,” is generously funded by Mondiaal FNV and spans from 2023 to 2025.
The primary focus of this project is to continue the crucial work carried out in the Ethiopian garment and flower sectors, which has already yielded significant results. Additionally, Phase III introduces an exciting new dimension by extending its efforts into the burgeoning leather sector. The expansion into the leather industry was initiated in response to specific requests from the Industrial Federation of Ethiopian Textile, Leather and Garment Worker Trade Union (IFETLGWTU) and the National Federation of Farms, Plantations, Fishery and Agro Industry Trade Unions (NFFPFAITU).
This phase builds upon the organization’s tried-and-tested methodologies while incorporating improvements and innovative strategies where necessary, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the representation and participation of women in the workforce. Geographical expansion is also a key component of this project, as it ventures into the Amhara region. This expansion is a direct response to observations made by the IFETLGWTU and the WageIndicator team, which indicated that working conditions in this region were even more challenging than in the previously intervened areas.
The parties involved in this significant endeavor are led by the WageIndicator Foundation, headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Working in close partnership with them are the Industrial Federation of Ethiopian Textile, Leather and Garment Worker Trade Union (IFETLGWTU) and the National Federation of Farms, Plantations, Fishery, and Agro Industry Trade Unions (NFFPFAITU).
This Phase III project reflects a continued commitment to improving the lives and working conditions of Ethiopian workers in these vital sectors, underscoring the dedication to the pursuit of fair wages and decent work. It not only sustains ongoing initiatives but also expands the scope of the effort, reaching new horizons to make a positive impact in the lives of those working in Ethiopia’s garment, flower, and leather industries.
