This post summarizes the key elements and purpose of Proclamation No. 1172/2019, which introduces amendments to the Ethiopian Press Agency Re-establishment Proclamation No. 1151/2019.
Objectives
The primary objective of Proclamation No. 1172/2019 is to modify the existing legal framework governing the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), with a specific focus on the authority responsible for determining employee compensation. The Proclamation explicitly states:
“WHEREAS, it has been found necessary to amend the Ethiopian Press Agency Re-establishment Proclamation No. 1151/2019 with regard to the authority to decide the salary, per diem and other benefits of Employees’ of the Agency.”
This amendment has been enacted in accordance with Article 55(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Key Amendments
The most significant change introduced by Proclamation No. 1172/2019 is the replacement of Article 9, Sub-Article (9) of the original Proclamation No. 1151/2019.
The original Article 9, Sub-Article (9) has been “deleted and replaced by the following new Sub-Article (9):”
The new wording for Article 9, Sub-Article (9) is:
“9/ Decide the salary, per diem and other benefits of the employees taking into account the Government capacity; issue Employees’ administration Directive;”
This new phrasing introduces a critical qualifier: the determination of employee salaries, daily allowances (per diem), and other benefits must now explicitly consider the Government’s financial capacity. Furthermore, it grants the authority to “issue Employees’ administration Directive,” suggesting a more formalized internal framework for managing employee compensation and overall administration.
Effective Date
The Proclamation states that it “shall enter into force up on the date of its publication in the Federal Negarit Gazette.” It was signed by SHALEWORK ZEWDE, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, on December 18, 2019, in Addis Ababa.
Summary of Changes
- Previous Legislation Amended: Ethiopian Press Agency Re-establishment Proclamation No. 1151/2019.
- Specific Amendment: Article 9, Sub-Article (9) is replaced.
- New Authority for Compensation: Salary, per diem, and other benefits for EPA employees will now be decided “taking into account the Government capacity”.
- Directive Issuance: The power to “issue Employees’ administration Directive” is also granted.
- Legal Basis: Article 55(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
- Effective Date: Upon publication in the Federal Negarit Gazette (December 18, 2019).