ANALYSIS THE LINKS BETWEEN ETHIO-CHINA BILATERAL INVESTMENTS TREATY, WITH ITS IMPACT ON LABOUR RIGHTS IN GAMBELLA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

ILO conventions and international investment legislation are specific to their respective domains. The non-existent of labor rights obligation in Ethio-China BIT contributing to failure of implementation of labor rights in Chinese owned companies in Gambella. The main objective of study is to investigate the impact of the Ethiopia-China Bilateral Investment Treaty on labor rights in Gambella region. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative to addressed study objective. Concerning qualitative method, the researcher interviewed 24 workers four different offices in Gambella and Ethiopian Investment Commission in Addis Ababa, and two Chinese owned construction companies in Gambella. Regarding quantitative method, 84 workers from Zhejiang Bayong Highway Engineering Group Co.Ltd, and 56 employees from China Railway Construction Corporation 21 filled questionnaires. The research finding indicate that Ethio China BIT have no contribution to labor rights abuse taking place in Gambella Region. The major causes is lack implementations of labor rights from Government, and negligent of Chinese companies to comply with their obligation to promote labor rights. However, regional labor and skill, and justice bureau would have to conduct strong oversight and monitoring the implementation labor rights, creating labor rights awareness, updated companies of their labor rights obligations and others. Zhejiang Bayong Highway Engineering Group Co.Ltd and China Railway Construction Corporation 21 would have to make any necessary preparation to comply with their obligation to promote labor rights.