New Overtime Pay Directive Approved for Health Professionals in Amhara Region

The Amhara Regional Health Bureau has announced the approval of a new overtime pay directive for government health professionals, effective from July 8, 2026 (Hamle 1, 2018 E.C.). This directive replaces previous circulars and establishes a clear calculation method for overtime based on working hours, weekends, and public holidays, with multipliers ranging from 1.25 to 2.5. While the regional cabinet ruled that the directive will not cover retroactive back pay, the Amhara Medical Association has challenged this stance, emphasizing that unpaid overtime prior to July 2018 must still be settled. The association clarified that the 'back pay' exclusion should only apply to the newly introduced calculation rates, not to the obligation to pay for past services.