This came here on Tuesday while the Committee heard the mid-term performance report of the Ministry.

Committee Chairman Merewan Bedri said although the ministry has carried out some encouraging activities, there has nevertheless been some loopholes in project implementation.

Particularly the ministry should attach attention to implementing the amended proclamation of job assignment rights of persons with disabilities and the plan to establishing a multi-purpose center for the elderly, which the committee chairman said, are projects lagging.

He also said the ministry should involve stakeholder organizations including those in regional states in its plan of eradicating the problem of beggary.

Committee members also suggested an expanded legal framework in favor of the ministry which should enable it to enhance its activities of ensuring workplace health and security of the labor force, particularly of those employed in floriculture, cotton and textiles, and dry-dirt disposal.

State Minister Zenebu Tadesse for her part said a study has been in the pipeline on ways of getting a law that will give expanded powers and duties to the ministry so as to enable it carry out enhanced activities in putting an end to child labor, ensuring the rights of senior citizens and persons with disabilities as well as to follow up on the health and security of the labor force.

E: 3:27 p.m.

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