(Photo: Sugar Industry Group)

Addis Abeba– More than 200 workers from Finchaa Sugar Factory in Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Oromia Region, have been detained for over a month without appearing before a court under allegations of “illegal farming activities” on factory land, a family member of one detainee told Addis Standard.

“The workers have been farming manually within the factory compound for more than a decade,” the source, who requested anonymity, said. “They grew crops like corn and sesame, and the management was fully aware of this practice.”

According to the family member, the detained workers, who lived in factory-provided housing, relied on farming to supplement their low wages. “Low-income workers were supporting their families through this work. It is unclear why it is now being treated as a crime,” he said.

The source claimed that the detainees are currently being held at the “former Defense Force compound” in Sulula Finchaa town 01 kebele.

“This mass arrest has devastated the workers’ families,” the family member said. “These are low-income workers, and their detention has left their families in difficult situations.” he also alleged that some management personnel involved in similar farming activities were not arrested.

Another worker at Fincha Sugar Factory, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that approximately 5,000 quintals of crops grown by the detained workers were confiscated without transparency. “The crops were taken without clear procedures, and no one knows who has them now,” the worker claimed.

The same worker stated that the employees were detained under false pretenses. “They were called to a meeting hall for what they believed was a regular meeting, but they were detained instead. The proper legal procedures were not followed,” he said.

According to the source, family members of the detainees have faced challenges in seeking accountability. “The district administration says it’s not their concern, while the factory administration tells us to go to the district. No one is taking responsibility,” he said.

The Fincha Sugar Factory, one of the largest sugar producers in Ethiopia, has faced multiple disruptions in recent years, including a production halt since June 2023 due to equipment damage and maintenance delays, compounded by security challenges and economic constraints such as a shortage of foreign currency needed to replace obsolete machinery. AS