What Ethiopian law says
| Rule | Source |
|---|---|
| No special form is required for an employment contract unless another law provides otherwise. | Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019, Article 5 |
| A written contract must state the employer’s name and address; the worker’s name, age, address and any work card number; the agreed terms; and the parties’ signatures. | Article 6 |
| Without a written contract, the employer must give the worker a signed letter with those particulars within 15 days of concluding the contract. | Article 7 |
| A probation period must be agreed in writing and may not exceed 60 working days from the first day of employment. | Article 11(3) |
| A contract may not set conditions less favourable to the employee than the law, a collective agreement or work rules. | Article 4(5) |
Clause outline
Use these headings as the structure of your document. They are a drafting checklist, not finished legal wording.
- PartiesEmployer’s name and address; worker’s full name, age, address and work card number, if any.
- Position and type of employmentJob title, main duties and to whom the worker reports.
- Place of workWhere the work is performed, and any travel or relocation terms.
- DurationIndefinite, definite period or a piece of work; start date; and, for a definite period, the end date or event.
- Probation (optional)Agreed in writing and within the limit in Article 11.
- WageAmount, how it is calculated, and how and at what intervals it is paid.
- Hours, rest and leaveNormal hours and leave entitlements, consistent with the Proclamation, any collective agreement and work rules.
- Duties, conduct and confidentialityWork rules that apply, confidentiality and ownership of work product.
- TerminationTermination and notice as provided by the Labour Proclamation; return of property.
- DisputesHow grievances are raised and which labour dispute bodies have jurisdiction.
- SignaturesSignature and date for both parties.
Before you sign
- Confirm the role is covered by the Labour Proclamation; managerial employees and civil servants are excluded by Article 3(2).
- Check any collective agreement and work rules: the contract may not be less favourable than either.
- Make sure the wage, hours and leave terms reflect the current text of the Proclamation and any regulation made under it.
Draft it with jLaw
Give jLaw an instruction like this one. It drafts the document, cites the provisions it relies on and delivers revisions as tracked changes.
“Draft an indefinite-term employment contract under the Ethiopian Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019 for a sales officer in Addis Ababa, with a written probation clause, and cite the articles you rely on.”
Frequently asked questions
Is a written employment contract required in Ethiopia?
Article 5 of Proclamation No. 1156/2019 requires no special form unless another law says otherwise. Without a written contract, the employer must give the worker a signed letter with the contract’s particulars within 15 days (Article 7).
Can I download a ready-made Ethiopian employment contract?
This page gives the structure and the rules the Labour Proclamation states. jLaw drafts the actual wording from your facts and cites the provisions it relies on, so a lawyer can check it before it is signed.
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.