"Labor Migration of Ethiopian Women to the Middle East" 30 of June 2025

The Middle East has emerged as a primary destination for Ethiopian women, driven by the promise of higher wages and improved living standards...Historically, the trend of labor migration can be traced back to previous regimes that encouraged out-migration as a means of alleviating domestic unemployment and economic hardship...
... As of recent estimates, approximately 400,000 Ethiopian women are currently working in the Middle East...These women contribute to the Ethiopian economy, with remittances from the Middle East accounting for approximately 4.5% of Ethiopia's GDP as of 2021...
Many women face inadequate legal protections, gender-specific vulnerabilities, and human rights concerns, which often leave them exposed to exploitation and abuse...Cultural norms often dictate that women are responsible for the financial well-being of their households, which intensifies the pressure to seek employment abroad...

Women often face discrimination and limited job opportunities within Ethiopia, leading them to view migration as their best option. The lack of access to education and vocational training further exacerbates these vulnerabilities...

The government has implemented regulations to oversee recruitment agencies, ensuring that workers are informed about their rights and work conditions. Following a temporary ban on migration in 2013 due to abuse allegations, the ban was lifted in 2018 with stricter regulations... Ethiopia is also actively pursuing bilateral agreements with Middle Eastern countries to protect its workers and improve their conditions...

...Reports of exploitation, abuse, and trafficking are alarmingly common. Many women enter into contracts that do not reflect the realities of their working conditions, leaving them susceptible to labor exploitation...
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