Addis Ababa, May 1, 2025 (Fana Media Corporation) — The Government Communication Service (GCS) has emphasized the critical role of skilled and dedicated workers in advancing Ethiopia’s journey toward inclusive and sustainable prosperity.
In a statement issued to mark International Labor Day, GCS noted that the economic sectors identified as foundational to Ethiopia’s development—namely agriculture, manufacturing, mining, tourism, and the digital economy—require the comprehensive efforts and diverse skills of the country’s workforce.
This year’s International Workers’ Day is being celebrated globally for the 136th time and for the 50th time in Ethiopia under the theme “Favourable Working Conditions for Social Justice in Manufacturing Industries and Service Institutions.”
The statement highlighted that skill-building, when combined with innovation and efficiency, is essential for creating sustainable employment opportunities and ensuring job security. It also underscored the importance of industrial peace, occupational safety, and the upskilling of workers, stating that prosperity cannot be achieved without these fundamental elements.
“As we celebrate the day, we acknowledge the contributions of employees, trade unions, and skills development institutions to industrial and national peace,” GCS said. “We also call on employers to ensure conducive working environments and safeguard occupational health and safety.”
The government, according to GCS, continues to prioritize skills development through various technical and vocational programs aimed at producing mid-level professionals to meet industrial demand. One flagship initiative cited is the 5 Million Ethiopian Coders program, which offers free training in four areas of digital expertise through globally recognized online platforms. The initiative is designed to prepare citizens for the evolving demands of a digital economy.
GCS stated that job creation and the promotion of entrepreneurship remain government priorities. So far in the 2024/25 Ethiopian fiscal year, over three million jobs have been created across various sectors, it claimed. Additionally, more than 340,000 overseas employment opportunities have been secured under bilateral labor agreements, and over 45,000 remote jobs have been created by leveraging digital platforms.
Citizens are encouraged to take advantage of available training and capacity-building initiatives—both governmental and private—to remain competitive in the changing job market, the statement noted.
While acknowledging the substantial efforts made by institutions across different levels of government, GCS said further progress is needed to meet the growing demand for employment. It called for innovative and responsive action from all stakeholders, including civil society, educational and training institutions, the private sector, and labor unions, to support the country’s broader development goals.