KEYIR NEWS — During a public consultation on the draft income tax proclamation held today, the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Union (CETU), as reported by Sheger, raised alarm over the deteriorating living conditions of public sector workers.
CETU stated that it can provide evidence to the Parliament showing that some government employees are forced to beg for leftover food from hotels after working hours due to extreme financial hardship.
At the forum, CETU President Kassahun Folo said many workers can no longer afford even a single meal a day or pay for essential medical treatment.
He criticised the draft tax proclamation for failing to consider the real cost of living, noting that the current wage floor of 2,000 birr does not reflect a sustainable income.
Kassahun urged the government to reconsider the proposed wage tax rates, warning that without reform, the tax burden will push more workers into poverty and indignity.