Unveiling the Realities Behind Job Creation – A Closer Look at the Ministry of Labour & Skills’ Performance

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KEYIR NEWS:- The recent parliamentary session in Ethiopia offered more than a routine government performance review—it exposed the critical tension between statistics and lived realities. At the center of the debate was the Ministry of Labour & Skills, led by Minister Muferihat Kamil, who reported the creation of 3.4 million jobs in the past nine months. While the figure suggests notable progress in tackling unemployment, legislators were quick to challenge its underlying meaning, particularly regarding the ministry’s handling of overseas employment initiatives.


One of the most contentious issues raised was the disparity between ambitious job placement targets and the grim experiences of thousands of Ethiopians seeking work abroad. The government had set a goal of facilitating over 833,000 overseas job opportunities within the year, yet this target remains largely unmet. More troubling than the shortfall in numbers, however, were the testimonies and reports of human suffering tied to the process of labor migration. Desperation and lack of oversight have turned overseas employment into a dangerous path for many, riddled with exploitation and abuse.

Parliamentarians pointed to a dark underside of the ministry’s operations: the proliferation of unlicensed recruitment agencies. These entities, often operating in legal grey areas, have been accused of manipulating, defrauding, and trafficking hopeful workers under the guise of employment facilitation. Their existence not only undermines the credibility of official statistics but also raises serious concerns about the state’s capacity—or willingness—to regulate and protect its citizens.

This session marked a critical moment of reckoning. It served as a reminder that job creation, while essential, must not be measured by numbers alone. When the pursuit of opportunity leads citizens into harm’s way, the human cost must be acknowledged and addressed. The government’s role extends beyond facilitation to safeguarding, ensuring that labor policies are grounded in both economic reality and humanitarian responsibility.

Going forward, it is imperative for the Ministry of Labour & Skills to realign its priorities. Job creation strategies must include mechanisms for monitoring, transparency, and legal enforcement, especially when citizens are being sent across borders. A robust crackdown on unlicensed agencies and a reinvestment in safe, well-regulated employment pathways are not just necessary—they are urgent.

In conclusion, the parliamentary debate illuminated a deep and uncomfortable truth: job creation in Ethiopia is not just a matter of numbers, but of justice. As the country aspires to economic growth and reduced unemployment, it must equally commit to protecting the dignity and lives of its labor force, at home and abroad.