1.1 Purpose of the research
The aim of this research is to get a brief overview of the labour law governing aviation workers in Ethiopia. It will look into the labour law, the commercial code, the Collective Agreement( between Ethiopian Airlines and the Ethiopian Airlines Basic Trade Union), and also directives and regulations issued by the Civil Aviation Authority. It will try to highlight the specific laws that govern the aviation workers.
This paper will also, through a very brief case analysis, try to identify some of the problems that arise with regards to the labour relations and the laws governing aviation workers.
It will also look at, and make a comparative analysis of, different labour laws regulating aviation workers in different countries. Based on the comparative study, it will try to point out areas for improvement and also clarify the need for a separate legal framework to regulate the aviation industry and its employees.
1.2 Research Questions
This paper will try to answer the following research question and the subquestions that stem from it. Research question is:Does Ethiopia need a separate labour law to regulate aviations workers? Sub questions are:•What are the international frameworks governing labour?•What are the laws currently governing labour in Ethiopia? In order to answer this the author will look into the different laws( including proclamations, collective agreements and directives)
•What are the possible problems that could arise or have arose so far in the aviation industry regarding the labor force? Identify the problems Ethiopian Airlines has faced so far by conducting a case study toidentify the pitfalls.
•What are the different experiences of other countries? This would answered by giving the eval frameworks of four different countries a brief overview, and identifying the basic features, the similarities and differences of each.
•What elements need to be incorporated into the Ethiopian Labour law?•What are the areas that need improvement and those that do not?
1.3 Methodological Framework
1.3.1 Limitations
Some of the limitations faced by the author in conducting this research are: – Time- Resource- Sources- Literature
1.3.2 Data CollectionThe data collection for this research was obtained through and from the following four sources:
1.3.2.1 Literature ReviewIn order to get an understanding of the labour laws, in relation to the aviation industry and its employees, a literature review has been conducted. This review included looking into the national laws regulating labour, in general and the aviation industry in particular, and also international instruments. A comparative analysis was also another reason for the literature review, so as to enable both the author, and the reader, to gain a general knowledge about they experiences and legal frameworks of different countries.
1.3.2.2 Case AnalysisTo identify the man;or problems faced with regards to the labour relations and the laws themselves governing the aviation industry, a case analysis has been conducted. It looks into what the sources where, so as to recommend solutions based on the comparative analysis.
1.3.2.3 InterviewInterviews have been conducted in order to get a practical insight into the labor relations and also the problems faced by the employees as well as the employers.
1.3.2.4 Consultation
1.4 Organisation of the Research
This paper consists of 5 chapters. Chapter I is an organisational part. It outlines the purpose of the conducted research, what the limitations are, and how the data was collected. It will outline the research question and also subquestions, which will help shape the paper. It will also indicate how the chapters are organised and what their contents are.
Chapter II will give a brief overview of both the national and international legal frameworks with regards to labour and labour relations. It will specifically look into the framework for the air transport business, putting into consideration international instruments such as the ILO labour standards and also the labour law, and other relevant laws, on the national level.v
Chapter III will concentrate on the labour law in Ethiopia in relation to the aviation industry. It will identify the salient features and the problematic areas. It will delve into the elements of the labour law, contracts of employment, and would also look into the collective agreement, and its main features. Definitions and clarifications of those governed by he collective agreement would also be provided. A very brief analysis or case study would also be conducted so as to identify the problems that are being faced, and what remedies were provided.
Chapter IV concentrates on a comparative review or study of the different legal frameworks that govern aviation workers in different countries. Four countries have been selected for this task, and each would be looked into separately. The basic features, formation of contracts, and other important elements would be reviewed, so as to enable a comparative study.
Chapter V is the conclusion, where the findings from the comparative study, literature review, and case analysis would be summarised. It will also provide recommendations, based on the problems identified from the case analysis, and also from solutions gathered from the comparative analysis, putting into consideration the social and economic status of Ethiopia.
