The ongoing debate in Ethiopia over introducing a minimum wage offers an important opportunity to put job quality and women’s economic empowerment at the centre of labour market policy discussions. Using findings from Young Lives’ Round 7 survey (2023–24) on young people’s job quality and job preferences alongside evidence from Young Lives’ sixth wave of qualitative research (Qual 6), this policy brief does not advocate for or against establishing a minimum wage, nor does it propose a specific level. Instead, it argues that any wage policy must be accompanied by broader measures that address job quality and persistent gender inequalities. This includes:

■ promoting better job security through written contracts and decent working conditions;

■ strengthening protections against excessive hours to safeguard workers’ rights;

■ enabling women’s participation by promoting flexible work, childcare, parental leave and valuing unpaid care work; and

■ supporting women in male-dominated sectors by promoting inclusive workplaces, eliminating discrimination and challenging gender stereotypes.