The Addis Ababa Trade Bureau has implemented a strict new policy prohibiting staff members from using mobile phones during working hours. This measure, which has been in effect for the past two months, aims to enhance service delivery and address recurring public complaints regarding staff productivity.
According to Ashenafi Berhanu, the Bureau’s Communication Director, the decision follows a significant organizational transformation. The Bureau has shifted from a traditional office model, which previously employed over 1,500 staff, to a streamlined digital operation managed by just 40 professionals. This transition has moved services away from physical district and sub-city offices, allowing citizens to submit requests and receive services entirely online.
Despite these improvements, the Bureau continued to receive feedback from citizens reporting that staff were distracted by personal phone use, social media browsing, and other non-work-related activities while on duty. To mitigate these distractions, the Bureau engaged in extensive discussions with its staff before finalizing the new directive.
Under the new rules, employees—particularly those in the trade registration and licensing departments—are required to store their mobile phones and personal bags in designated lockers before beginning their shifts. Ashenafi noted that this policy has successfully allowed staff to dedicate their full attention to processing online requests, ensuring a more efficient and professional service environment for the public.
Source: Telegram / tikvahethiopia