Addis Ababa — The House of Peoples' Representatives referred a bill providing for the amendment of the Labour Proclamation No. 377/2003 to the pertinent Standing Committee for further scrutiny.

The House endorsed the recommendations to fill the missing members of the Independent Inquiry Commission formed to investigate the violence occurred in Addis Ababa and other parts of the country.

The House in its 18th Regular Session yesterday referred the bill providing for the amendment of Labour Proclamation to the Social Affairs Standing Committee for further scrutiny.

The bill focuses on definition of managerial employee, lay off, procedures of collective agreement and common offences.

The new bill provides three new sub-articles into Article 39 of the existing labour law, while it also deleted and replaced by new a few sub-articles in the existing law.

The new provisions introduced into the existing labour law deal, among others, with the rights and privileges of employees in a state of sickness including those living with HIV/AIDS.

The House after deliberations referred the bill to the Social Affairs Standing Committee with 375 votes and 12 abstentions.

The House also dwelt on the recommendations forwarded by the Legal and Administration Affairs Standing Committee concerning the filling of missing members of the Independent Inquiry Commission set up to investigate the violence in the capital and other parts of the country.

The MPs during discussion demanded explanation as to why members of the Commission are missing.

The Standing Committee said five of the members were missed owing to medical reasons, while others were denied permission from their respective organizations and still others were excused for work burden.

The Standing Committee said the remaining six members are discharging their responsibilities.

The Standing Committee said one of the criteria it employed to fill the vacuum is neutrality of the individual.

Other criteria included acceptance by the public, experience and efficiency in their engagement and civility, the Standing Committee said.

The Standing Committee recommended that Wolde-Michael Meshesha, a member of the Commission, to replace Deputy Chairperson of the Commission who is missing.

The Standing Committee also recommended Dr. Mekonnen Dilgasa, Abune Aewostetewos, Mitiku Teshome, Haregewoin Tassew and Biluy Addis Wolde-Yesus to replace the missing members.

The House endorsed approved the recommendations with 270 votes, 100 objections and 8 abstentions.