DHL Ethiopia Workers Union Strikes For Better Pay

Unmet wage demands have prompted a strike at DHL Express offices in Addis Ababa and Hawassa.

Tilahun Tadesse, Chairman of the DhL Express Ethiopia Workers’ Union, tod The Reporter that the company failed to respond to annual salary adjustment requests put forward by its employees.

“The company used to increase salaries every April,” he said. “We asked them to do the same this year, but only those in management received a raise, while the rest of the employees did not. Since there was no clear salary increment this year, we demanded a 120 percent raise within 10 days. The company eventually offered a 20 to 24 percent increase. We then reduced our demand to 50 percent. When they refused, we were forced to go on strike.”

The Chairman says some employees work up to 16 hours a day and are still unable to support their families.

“The company’s income is in dollars and euros, but salaries are paid in Birr. We requested to be paid in Birr at the actual exchange rate, but no agreement was reached,” said Tilahun.

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The Germany-based courier registered 84.2 billion euros in revenue in 2024, up three percent from the year prior. DHL’s Middle East and Africa division accounts for less than two percent of its earnings.

“The organization insists on setting the raise according to its own terms and not ours. Therefore, we decided to begin a three-day strike in accordance with Ethiopian labor and employment laws. If our demands are not met, we will continue pressing forward and push for further negotiations,” said Tilahun.

The strike has reportedly been joined by workers in Addis Ababa and Hawassa, including staff at the courier’s Bole International Airport branch.

“DHL Express is committed to concluding a Collective Bargaining Agreement that is fair and reasonable for both sides. Our commitment to employee welfare is firmly embedded in our culture and values,” reads the company’s response.