Trade Unions and the State in Ethiopia, 1946-1991
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Date
2018-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This dissertation is a comprehensive study of an important chapter of the labour history of
Ethiopia. It examines the history of labour relations in Ethiopia, particularly the relation
between trade unions and the state from 1946 to 1991. Based primarily on the CETU, MoLSA
and IES archives, union publications (Voice of Labour), magazines, student papers and other
publications of the period and pertinent oral informants, it traces the genesis and evolution of
incipient capitalism, wage labour, working class, workers' organization and labour relations in
Ethiopia. It also attempts to investigate the changes and continuities in the relation between
CELU and AETU/ ETU on the one hand and the imperial regime and the military regime on the
other respectively. This dissertation argues that even though labour relation is a tripartite
relation involving workers and their confederation, employers and their federation and the state,
the Ethiopian case was quite different in that it took place only between workers and their
confederation on the one hand and and the state on the other. Since the state was the largest
employer in the country, it dominated the employers' federation during the imperial regime and
virtually over took it during the military regime. The dissertation shows that the relation between
trade unions and the state in Ethiopia was full of conflict and hostility as the former often
resisted the intervention of the latter and sought to establish an independent labour movement in
the country and as the latter often tried to control the former and enhance economic
development at the expense of it. Though the study of labour relations in general and labour
history in particular is showing significant progress in the rest of the world, it is not yet given
due attention in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study may benefit historians and scholars from various
disciplines and future researchers on the subject as a starting point. Statesmen, social workers,
labour policy makers may also utilize the findings for public benefit.
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History