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Refugees in Ethiopia Grow Impatient for Right to Work

Reuters

   ADDIS ABABA - BethelihemTesfatsionis asuccessful businesswoman who has
   sold thousands of hand-stitched Eritreandresses worldwide, but she
   operates in the shadows, waiting for Ethiopia to makegood on its
   promise to allow refugees to work.

   As an Eritrean asylum-seeker,Bethelihem, 29, is not eligible for a
   workpermit, so she got an Ethiopian friend to put his name on the
   business licensein 2017 when she opened her shop in Ethiopia's capital,
   Addis Ababa.

   "It doesn't feel like the brand is mine," saidBethelihem, who
   leftEritreafive years ago to get treatment for a kidney problem and
   never returned--liketens of thousands who flee the tiny Horn of Africa
   country every year, citingpolitical repression and lengthy military
   conscription.

   "You always fear you do something that you're not supposed to do,
   thatsomeone from the government is going to come after me."

   Home to Africa's third-largest refugee population, Ethiopia won praise
   inJanuary for passing a law giving 700,000 registered refugees and
   asylum-seekers who have fled conflict, drought and persecution the
   right to liveoutside 26 camps where they are currently hosted.

   'Very disappointed'

   But11months after the RefugeeProclamationwas
   announced--allowingrefugees and asylum-seekers to work, open bank
   accounts, legally register birthsand marriages,and attend primary
   school--Bethelihemis frustrated Ethiopia hasyet to pass further
   legislation to bring it to life.

   "I am very disappointed," she said, as her sister and aunt busily
   packedatraditional white cotton dress with colorful edging to send
   abroad, whilepassers-by glanced in at the elegantlydressed mannequins
   in the window.

   "We are sick of[waiting]because we have the capacity[to work]."

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