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31 Aug 2018 | 08:11 PM UTC

Ethiopia: Dam workers continue strike as of August 30

Construction workers for Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam continue strike as of August 30; avoid all protests

Informational

Event

Workers involved in the construction of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) entered the third day of a strike on Thursday, August 30. The workers are striking to demand higher pay and better working conditions. Negotiations between the laborers and GERD management are ongoing. As of August 31, no agreement between the workers and management had been announced, and it was unclear when workers would end the strike. No associated marches or roadblocks had been reported as of August 31, but the possibility of protests cannot be ruled out as the strike continues.

Context

Once completed, GERD is set to be the largest hydropower plant on the continent and will triple Ethiopia's electricity production. Construction on the dam began in 2011 and is several years behind schedule.

Advice

Individuals in Ethiopia are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and large public gatherings as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.