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The Ethiopian Employers Federation (EEF) elected its
Board of Directors again after the Ministry of
Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) rejected the
previous election result and ordered the Federation
to hold re-elections. In an election held on
Saturday, August 4, 2007, at Ghion Hotel, Buzayehu
Tadelle of East African Holdings; Kassahun Bogale
from the Adama (Nazareth) branch of the
Federation’s office; and Tadese Eyasu from the
Ethiopian Hotels and Restaurants Association, have
been elected as the new Board members of the
Federation.
Teshome Zewdie, the Federation’s president, and
Tadelle Yimer, the Secretary-General, retained their
respective positions, as they were not required to
run for re-election. Yishak Abdulahi of Abas Tarding,
Wondawek Abeze from the Ethiopian Telecommunications
Corporation (ETC), Matheos Gechelle of the New
Generation University College and Frehiwot Worku
from Ethiopian Airlines, who were re-elected, were
among the people whose election in the past was
claimed have been approved by the Federation General
Council as well as the General Assembly but did not
enjoy the recognition of MoLSA.
Though the re-election was conducted behind closed
doors with only the Federation’s members present,
there were two observers who were allowed to witness
the degree of conformity of the re-election with the
Federation’s bylaws. In the re-election, only 60 to
70 members of the over 150 members of the Federation
were present.
“We will not give any explanation concerning the
election before the procedures and results are
delivered to the Ministry,” Teshome told Fortune.
“However, we will inform the public through press
conferences in the near future.”
Sources who were in the election told Fortune
that the General Assembly first elected members of
the General Council prior to electing the Board of
Directors. Having elected seven board members before
a tea break given, the newly elected members of the
General Council presented their nominees to the
General Assembly. The Assembly subsequently gave
them approval. Teshome and Tadele were also elected
as members of the General Council.
Members of the Board of Directors who were claimed
to have been elected by the General Council
established in May 2006, but who did not make it to
the Board this time are Mehiret Debebe, general
manager of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation
(EEPCo); Amare Amsalu, CEO of ETC; and Tefera Abebe,
general manager of Mugher Cement Enterprise.
If the latest election procedures get the acceptance
of MoLSA, the Federation’s registrations
certificate, which has not been renewed for several
months due to the controversy between the executives
of the Federation, is expected to be renewed by the
Ministry.
“We will make a difference in the Federation,”
Buzuayehu, who joined the Board of Directors through
the re-election, told Fortune. |
