Ethiopian production faces disruptions over jobs plan

Regional officials in Ethiopia are demanding that foreign cement producers, including Dangote Cement and Derba Midroc Cement, should let cooperatives of unemployed young adults run part of their mining businesses.

A draft contract drawn up by Oromia state’s East Shewa Zone administration this month calls for the young adults to operate pumice mines for the cement producers, according to Bloomberg.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn’s administration is trying to reduce youth unemployment and the initiative follows attempts by the national government to alleviate social pressures, following violent protests in the state in late 2016 in response to over alleged land dispossession, political marginalisation and state repression.

The local administration reportedly stopped production recently at the Dangote and Derba Midroc Cement while it discussed its proposals with the producers, according to local press.