As of today, Ethiopian healthcare professionals have begun a full strike, citing extreme hunger and unbearable working conditions. This nationwide movement erupted after government bodies—including the Ministry of Health—failed to respond to 12 critical questions submitted by health workers.
Despite waiting a full 30 days after submitting a petition signed by over 17,000 professionals, the silence from authorities has only been broken by accusations that the protest is politically motivated.
Instead of addressing the core issues—like starvation-level wages and unsafe working environments—some government officials and cadres have dismissed the movement, claiming it is backed by hidden political agendas. Furthermore the government has imprisoned more than 79 professionals until today.
Yet, these professionals are not aligned with any political party. They organized themselves independently to speak up about a basic human need: food.
The average salary of Ethiopian healthcare workers is less than $100 per month—an amount insufficient to cover even bread, rent, or transport. With the rising cost of living, inflation, and poor working environments.
Professionals say “We are hungry, not rebellious.” Many have already left the system, and those who remain face an overwhelming workload without proper compensation, protection, or support.
Despite these hardships, authorities continue to reference proclamations that limit strike actions for essential workers. But what do Ethiopian labor laws and international standards actually say about work stoppage under inhumane conditions—especially hunger?
In this article, we will explore whether there is any local or international law that prohibits healthcare workers from stopping work due to starvation and unsafe conditions. We aim to present a clear, professional, and evidence-based analysis to help both the public and healthcare workers understand their rights.
Is there any law—national or international—that prohibits healthcare professionals from stopping work when their survival is at risk?
As a public health expert, I have reviewed Ethiopia’s labor laws, international conventions, and ethical guidelines. The goal of this article is not to take sides, but to provide a factual, evidence-based analysis of whether such a work stoppage is legally or ethically justifiable under current circumstances.
1. International Ethical Standards: The Right to Self-Preservation
According to the World Medical Association (WMA) and its International Code of Medical Ethics, physicians pledge:
“I will attend to my own health, well-being, and abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard.”
This global ethical standard acknowledges that healthcare professionals must prioritize their own well-being—including access to food, safety, and rest—to be capable of caring for others.
This means physicians are ethically obligated to ensure their own health before serving others. A starving doctor or nurse cannot provide safe or ethical care. Upholding self-care is part of global medical ethics.
2. WHO’s Position on Work Under Unsafe Conditions
The World Health Organization (WHO) also recognizes that:
“Workers have the right to remove themselves from a work situation if they have reasonable justification to believe that continuing would present an imminent and serious danger to their life or health.”
This includes protection from any retaliation or penalties for exercising this right. Hunger, especially when it affects physical and mental performance, qualifies as such a danger.
3. Ethiopian Law: Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019
The Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019 of Ethiopia outlines several key protections for workers, including those in essential services like healthcare:
- Article 3 & Article 92: Every worker has the right to fair wages, safe and healthy working conditions, and protection from forced labor.
- Article 32: A worker may terminate employment without notice if:
- There is an imminent danger to their health or safety, and the employer fails to act after being informed.
- The employer repeatedly fails to fulfill basic obligations (e.g., consistent salary payment, protection, and safety).
Article 32 of this proclamation allows workers to terminate their employment without notice if their safety or dignity is at risk and no corrective action is taken by the employer—exactly the situation these professionals are facing today.
Healthcare professionals across Ethiopia have submitted petitions and notices to relevant authorities—some signed by over 17,000 professionals. Failure to address these concerns within a reasonable period constitutes grounds for legal work cessation under Ethiopian law.
4. Essential Services and the Right to Strike
While healthcare is considered an essential service, Proclamation 1156/2019 (Article 136) does not completely ban strikes. Instead, it requires:
- Adequate notice to authorities
- Provision of minimum services to prevent public health emergencies
- Attempts at prior mediation
It is true that Ethiopian labor law restricts strikes in “essential services.” However, this does not mean healthcare professionals must work under any condition.
The law requires minimum service during strikes—but it also demands the employer provide a safe, dignified, and livable work environment. When these minimums are not met—like in the current hunger crisis—workers have a legal and moral right to withdraw.
Furthermore, the current strike was conducted legally and transparently:
- Workers gave official notification.
- They followed a 30-day waiting period.
- They began with partial work stoppage before moving to a full strike.
Thus, the strike, as currently practiced, does not violate the essential service clause when minimum care is provided.
5. International Conventions Ratified by Ethiopia
As a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Ethiopia has ratified several key conventions, including:
- ILO Convention No. 155: Ensures occupational safety and health
- ILO Convention No. 87 & 98: Protect the right to organize and bargain collectively
These conventions emphasize the duty of employers and governments to protect the health, safety, and dignity of all workers—including healthcare professionals. Hunger, non-payment, and unsafe hospital environments are incompatible with these obligations.
6. Nutrition and Worker Protection
ILO documents also highlight that:
“Adequate nutrition is indispensable for occupational safety, productivity, and social protection.”
Professionals who are unable to feed themselves or their families, or who suffer from fatigue and illness due to inadequate rest and pay, are not obligated to perform life-saving duties while their own lives are at risk.
Key Challenges Facing Ethiopian Healthcare Workers:
- Extremely low salaries (less than $100/month)
- Lack of protective equipment
- Unsafe and unsanitary hospital conditions
- Delayed payments
- Unbearable workloads
- No health insurance or social protection
- Exposure to infection, trauma, and violence
- Some professionals detained for speaking out
These are not political demands. These are human rights violations
Conclusion: No Law Forces Work Amid Starvation
After reviewing Ethiopian labor law, constitutional rights, WHO standards, and WMA medical ethics, one thing is clear:
There is no law—national or international—that forces healthcare professionals to continue working while starving.
In fact, the laws protect their right to stop working under such inhumane conditions.
While protecting public health is important, so is protecting the health of those who serve. Ethiopian health professionals are not refusing care—they are crying out for survival. Their questions are about bread, safety, and dignity—not politics.
Recommendations for Healthcare Professionals
- Document your conditions: Keep records of late or missing salaries, lack of equipment, and unsafe environments.
- Inform the public factually: Use non-political, non-partisan language and show the public how working conditions affect patient safety.
- Engage trade unions and legal experts: Ensure that all steps follow legal procedures to protect yourselves and your patients.
- Appeal to international bodies: Share well-documented evidence with organizations like the WHO, WMA, and ILO.
This is not about politics or protest. It is about dignity, health, and the survival of both professionals and the patients they care for.
When caregivers are starving, the healthcare system itself is in critical condition.
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