Cooperation between NHO and EEF making progress

EEF visit to Mester Grønn

Discussions on a possible cooperation between the two sister organizations began earlier this year, when representatives from NHO visited Ethiopia in May and June. As a follow up to these discussions NHO invited three representatives from EEF to Norway. From the 9th to the 13th of October the Ethiopian delegation was in Oslo for a study visit and to discuss cooperation plans for 2012-2014.

Representatives from NHO management welcomed the delegation to NHO and gave a brief introduction of the structure and activities of the organization. The participants in the EEF delegation attended presentations on the overall strategies in NHO. This was highly appreciated by the EEF delegation as it presented them with the opportunity to assess their own organization using the experience within the  NHO model as a measuring stick, so as to be able to pinpoint where improvements need to be done in their own organization.

The delegation also visited two Norwegian companies which have business models that are relevant to the Ethiopian context. Here they experienced how different big companies like Ringnes Brewery Company and Mester Grønn Flower Company conduct their businesses in Norway and for Mester Grønn as well in Ethiopia.

Labor relation and the Norwegian experience in tripartism (cooperation between employers, employees and the government) were of special interest to the delegation. As labor relations and conflict solving are challenges in Ethiopian working life, the delegation found the Norwegian experiences interesting and expressed interest in learning more from both NHO and Norwegian companies in this field.

The delegation was treated to a sightseeing tour of the city where they experienced a dash of Norwegian culture and they got to see the Fram and the Kontiki museums where they got a feel of Norwegian history. Through Frithjof Nansen and Thor Heyerdahl they learned about Norwegian nation building, Norwegian humanitarian efforts, polar expeditions and great adventures.

Before returning to Ethiopia future cooperation plans between EEF and NHO were discussed. Areas such  as capacity building and exchange of experience in the field of labour relations, strengthening of organisation, how to recruit member companies and serving members, and also an activity where the 3 sister organizations from China, Norway and Ethiopia will be involved. The focus of this activity will be “Doing responsible business in Africa”.