The source further claimed that those who seek their overdue wages face the risk of imprisonment and threats from security personnel. The issue of delayed salary payments is particularly severe in the rural areas of the Hadiya zone, especially in the East and West Badwacho districts. According to him, frequent arrests have been reported among teachers who publicly address the issue in East Badwacho. The EHRC has documented cases of intimidation, including threats, assaults, and imprisonment, directed at those protesting the lack of payment. Despite these financial hurdles, the administration of Hadiya Zone has been striving to fill the budgetary gaps with loans, ensuring salary payments for eight of the 19 districts, according to the EHRC.

Source: Ethiopian News December 25, 2023 13:33 UTC