Contribution short abstract:

This paper explores the labor exploitation practices by multinational firms operating in Ethiopia's garment industry, focusing on the intersection of global supply chains, local labor conditions, and the ethical challenges faced by workers.

Contribution long abstract:

Addis Ababa University

This paper explores the labor exploitation practices by multinational firms operating in Ethiopia's garment industry, focusing on the intersection of global supply chains, local labor conditions, and the ethical challenges faced by workers. The garment sector in Ethiopia has attracted foreign investment due to the country's low labor costs and favorable trade agreements. However, this growth has come at a significant social cost, with workers often subjected to poor wages, unsafe working conditions, and limited labor rights protections. Through a combination of field research, case studies, and analysis of industry reports, the paper examines how multinational companies in the garment sector are complicit in perpetuating exploitative labor practices. Additionally, the paper investigates the roles of both Ethiopian government policies and international organizations in addressing these issues, while considering the broader implications for workers' rights and corporate responsibility. Ultimately, this paper aims to highlight the challenges in balancing economic growth with ethical labor practices in global supply chains, offering recommendations for more equitable frameworks in multinational corporate operations.

Keywords: labor exploitation, multinational firms, garment industry, Ethiopia, global supply chains, workers' rights,