“Joint project” means an urban or rural development project designed with the support of the international community and the agreement of the Ethiopian government to economically benefit both recognized refugees and Ethiopian nationals.

"Wage earning employment" means the performance of professional or manual work by a refugee or an asylum seeker who is employed permanently or temporarily in consideration for wage.

A recognized refugee or asylum seeker may engage in wage earning employment upon obtaining a work permit from the competent government body. 2) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-article (1) of this Article, a refugee who has been granted a residence permit to work in a joint project may be employed in the project without having to obtain a work permit. 3) Without prejudice to the provision of Article 26 (10) of the Refugees Proclamation, a refugee or asylum seeker who is legally married to an Ethiopian national or has one or more child in possession of Ethiopian nationality may be employed without having to obtain a work permit.

An employer seeking to employ a refugee or asylum seeker in areas that cannot be covered by Ethiopian nationals must, with the letter of support from the Agency, obtain a work permit from the Ministry or competent body authorized by the Ministry. 2) The work permit referred to under sub-article 1 may only be granted to employ the refugee or asylum seeker in the specific organization and to work in a position for which the work permit is requested.

Any recognized refugee or asylum seeker may be self-employed, individually or in group, in areas open for foreign nationals upon obtaining the appropriate license from the relevant licensing bodies in accordance with applicable national laws. 2) Any recognized refugee may be able to engage in self-employment by obtaining residence permit in accordance with the provisions of sub-article 1 of this article. 3) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-article 2 of this Article: a) A refugee who has been granted a residence permit by the Agency may be self-employed in joint projects without having to obtain a work permit; b) A refugee or asylum-seeker who is married to an Ethiopian national or has one or more child in possession of Ethiopian nationality may, pursuant to Article 26 (9) of the Refugees Proclamation, be self-employed in joint projects or fields of business limited to Ethiopian nationals without residence permit upon obtaining the required license from the relevant licensing body.