This FAQ provides a comprehensive overview of the key provisions and underlying principles enshrined within the Federal Civil Servants Proclamation No. 1353-2025, a foundational legal instrument governing public service in Ethiopia.
- What are the fundamental objectives of Federal Civil Servants Proclamation No. 1353-2025? The Proclamation is designed to establish a contemporary, highly efficient, and exceptionally effective public service framework within Ethiopia. Its core objectives encompass guaranteeing transparency and ensuring recruitment and selection processes are rigorously merit-based. Furthermore, it endeavors to cultivate an environment characterized by diversity and inclusivity within the civil service, elevate the overall quality and productivity of governmental services, and formulate a robust legal paradigm for the meticulous evaluation of employee performance and the effective motivation of the workforce. Emphasis is placed upon the imperative of constructing a civil service that authentically mirrors the multifaceted diversity inherent to Ethiopia’s population, fostering healthy competition among public sector employees, and modernizing the mechanisms of service delivery to the citizenry.
- Which foundational principles govern government institutions and their personnel under the purview of this Proclamation? Under this Proclamation, government institutions and their employees are bound by a set of immutable core principles. Operational conduct must be strictly devoid of political or partisan influence, with duties being discharged solely in accordance with the dictates of the law. Recruitment and promotional activities are to be predicated upon meritocratic principles and competitive selection processes, while concurrently and actively advancing diversity across various demographic dimensions, including ethnicity, gender, disability, and age. Transparency and accountability are paramount for the delivery of public services, with officials and employees being held directly responsible for any identified deficiencies or failures in performance.
- How does the Proclamation address the system of compensation and benefits for civil servants? The Proclamation delineates a comprehensive system for the compensation and benefits afforded to civil servants. It mandates that salary scales be determined through rigorous job evaluation and adherence to professional classification standards, taking into careful consideration the nation’s financial capacity, prevailing cost of living indicators, and inflationary trends. Salary increments are directly linked to the outcomes of performance evaluations, with employees becoming eligible for increases bi-annually should their average performance attain or surpass a “medium” rating. Furthermore, the Proclamation mandates the provision of various allowances, including, but not limited to, daily sustenance, hardship, travel, and overtime, alongside non-monetary benefits designed to incentivize and reward effective performance. A dedicated Merit and Salary Board is established to review and formally approve recommendations for salary adjustments and benefit modifications.
- What is the functional role of the newly established Ethiopia Competence and Management Institute (ECMI) within the civil service framework? The Ethiopia Competence and Management Institute (ECMI) has been established with the express purpose of cultivating a highly competent leadership cadre and workforce within the civil service. Its primary functions include the provision of specialized short-term modular training focusing on both technical and behavioral competencies, the offering of supplementary educational programs, the conduct of pertinent research, the provision of expert consulting services, the execution of rigorous competence assessments, and the issuance of formal competence certifications. ECMI assumes a critical role in the recruitment process by disseminating advertisements for vacant positions, evaluating applicants based on their demonstrated competence, and facilitating placements, transfers, and assignments founded upon the outcomes of these comprehensive assessments.
- What provisions are incorporated within the Proclamation to ensure diversity and inclusivity within the civil service? The Proclamation places significant emphasis on the imperative of cultivating a diverse and inclusive civil service, one that accurately reflects the demographic composition of Ethiopia’s population. It explicitly proscribes discrimination during recruitment and selection processes based on ethnicity, gender, religion, political views, disability, HIV/AIDS status, or any other arbitrary reason. Moreover, it mandates the implementation of additional supportive measures for specific demographic groups, notably women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from ethnic groups that are historically underrepresented, across various aspects of their civil service tenure, including recruitment, promotion, transfer, training, and professional development. These provisions extend to practical support mechanisms such as the establishment of childcare facilities for female employees and specialized assistance for pregnant civil servants.
- What framework is established for addressing employee grievances and implementing disciplinary actions? The Proclamation institutes a clear and structured framework for the systematic adjudication of employee grievances and the application of disciplinary actions. Each governmental institution is mandated to establish a dedicated grievance investigation committee, responsible for receiving and thoroughly investigating employee complaints pertaining to legal interpretations, entitlements, working conditions, job assignments, and performance evaluations. In matters of disciplinary infractions, the Proclamation categorizes offenses into “minor” and “serious” classifications, outlining corresponding penalties commensurate with the severity of the transgression. A special disciplinary measure may be enacted for institutions experiencing widespread disciplinary challenges, involving the deployment of a task force to identify and rigorously address severe infractions. Furthermore, an Administrative Court is established to hear appeals against administrative decisions, thereby ensuring fairness and upholding the rule of law. This judicial body also actively promotes alternative dispute resolution mechanisms where appropriate.
- What types of leave benefits are stipulated for civil servants under this Proclamation? Civil servants are entitled to a variety of leave benefits under the provisions of this Proclamation. These include annual leave, with specific stipulations for carry-over entitlements and the potential for cash conversion under certain defined circumstances. Sick leave is granted upon the presentation of valid medical certification. Special leave with full remuneration is provided for circumstances such as mourning, marriage, and examinations (limited to seven working days per fiscal year), as well as for matters related to election participation or court summons. Unpaid leave may be authorized for a duration of up to one year for demonstrably valid reasons, with potential extensions for specific project assignments or in instances where a spouse is assigned to a diplomatic mission abroad. Pregnant employees are additionally granted 30 consecutive days of pre-natal leave and 90 consecutive days of post-natal leave, both with full remuneration.
- How does the Proclamation promote a system characterized by fairness and transparency in government services and the administration of justice? The Proclamation endeavors to cultivate a system of public administration characterized by pervasive fairness and transparency by ensuring that all governmental services are delivered impartially and without political bias. It mandates the establishment of clear standards for service delivery, encompassing detailed specifications regarding timelines, quality benchmarks, cost parameters, accessibility of location, and any prerequisite conditions. The digitalization of governmental services is actively encouraged as a means to enhance efficiency, broaden accessibility, and reinforce accountability, thereby simultaneously reducing costs and optimizing timelines for citizens. Furthermore, the establishment of an independent Administrative Court, whose judges are appointed based on merit and are committed to unwavering impartiality, significantly reinforces the principle of justice and provides a mechanism for appeals against administrative decisions, thereby safeguarding the rights of civil servants. The court is also specifically tasked with the promotion of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms where deemed appropriate.