KEY POINTS
- Article 41 of the Constitution: every Ethiopian national has the right to equal access to publicly funded social services.
- Private-sector pensions: Proclamation No. 1268/2022. Public-servant pensions: Proclamation No. 1267/2022.
- Community-based health insurance: Proclamation No. 1273/2022.
- Employment injury benefits for private-sector workers are dealt with in the Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019.
Constitutional social rights
Article 41 of the Constitution guarantees the right to engage freely in economic activity and to choose one’s occupation, and gives every Ethiopian national the right to equal access to publicly funded social services. It directs the State to allocate increasing resources to public health, education and other social services and, within available means, to support people with disabilities, the aged and children without parents or guardians.
Pensions
There are two main pension schemes, each with its own proclamation: the Private Organization Employees’ Pension Proclamation No. 1268/2022 and the Public Servants’ Pension Proclamation No. 1267/2022. Contribution rates, qualifying periods and benefit formulas are set in those texts and their implementing rules, so check the current text for any figure.
Health insurance and workplace injury
The Community Based Health Insurance Proclamation No. 1273/2022 provides the legal basis for community-based health insurance schemes. For private-sector workers, the Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019 covers occupational safety and health and benefits in the case of employment injuries.
Frequently asked questions
Which law governs private-sector pensions in Ethiopia?
The Private Organization Employees’ Pension Proclamation No. 1268/2022.
Which law governs pensions for Ethiopian civil servants?
The Public Servants’ Pension Proclamation No. 1267/2022.
Is there a constitutional right to social services in Ethiopia?
Article 41 of the Constitution gives every Ethiopian national the right to equal access to publicly funded social services and directs the State to allocate increasing resources to health, education and other social services.
This page is general legal information about Ethiopian law, prepared from the published texts it cites. It is not legal advice and does not confirm whether a provision is still in force or has been amended. Federal laws are published in the Federal Negarit Gazeta in Amharic and English, and the Amharic version prevails where they differ. Consult a qualified Ethiopian lawyer about your situation.