This post summarizes the key elements and rationale behind Proclamation No. 1173/2019, which introduces amendments to the existing Ethiopian News Service Re-establishment Proclamation No. 1115/2019.
Date and Issuing Authority
- Date of Proclamation: December 18, 2019
- Issuing Authority: President Sahle-Work Zewde, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Core Purpose of the Amendment
The primary objective of Proclamation No. 1173/2019 is to amend the Ethiopian News Service Re-establishment Proclamation No. 1115/2019. The overarching goal of this amendment is to enhance the efficiency, relevance, accountability, and applicability of decision-making related to the compensation and benefits of the Ethiopian News Service (ENS) leadership and employees.
The Proclamation explicitly states its necessity:
“WHEREAS it has been found necessary to amend the Ethiopian News Service Reestablishment Proclamation No. 1115/2019 in order to realize efficient, relevant, accountable and applicable decision making concerning the salary, per diem and other benefits of the Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officers and Employees of the Service.”
Key Amendments
The Proclamation specifically amends Article 9, Sub-Article (6) of the original Proclamation No. 1115/2019. This sub-article, which previously outlined responsibilities regarding employee administration and compensation, has been deleted and replaced with a new, expanded provision.
The new Article 9, Sub-Article (6) mandates the following responsibilities for the Service:
- Issuance of Directives: The Service is now explicitly tasked with issuing directives “necessary for the recruitment, promotion and administration of Employees of the Service”. This ensures a structured and regulated approach to human resource management within the ENS.
- Implementation Oversight: The Service is also responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of these directives, implying a continuous monitoring and enforcement role.
- Compensation Decision-Making: Crucially, the amended sub-article empowers the Service to “decide the salary, per diem and other benefits of Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officers and Employees of the Service taking into account the Government capacity“. This last clause is highly significant as it introduces a direct link between the ENS’s compensation decisions and the broader financial capacity of the Ethiopian government. This suggests a move towards more fiscally responsible and aligned remuneration practices within the state news agency.
Legal Basis
The Proclamation is enacted “in accordance with Article 55(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia”, establishing its clear legal foundation.
Effective Date
This Proclamation entered into force “up on the date of its publication in the Federal Negarit Gazette.”