Quick answer: the Labor ID is the identity number every Ethiopian overseas jobseeker receives when they register on Ethiopia's official LMIS (Labour Market Information System, lmis.gov.et), run by the Ministry of Labour and Skills. Registration happens through a licensed Private Employment Agency (PEA) or directly on the platform, and the same system is where a Labor ID, a Certificate of Competence (CoC) and a deployment record can be checked online — by the worker, the agency, and the Ethiopian embassy in the destination country. All checks are free.
What the Labor ID is — and why everything depends on it
Ethiopia's overseas employment runs on one digital backbone: the LMIS. Under the Overseas Employment Proclamation No. 923/2016 (as amended by No. 1246/2021), a worker can only be deployed abroad through legal channels — and every legal deployment starts with the worker being registered on the LMIS and issued a Labor ID. That number ties together the worker's profile, skills training, Certificate of Competence (CoC), medical record, insurance, contract and final deployment. No Labor ID, no legal deployment.
How to register and get a Labor ID
- Register on the LMIS — workers register on lmis.gov.et (directly or with the help of a MoLS-licensed Private Employment Agency), entering personal details, passport information and a photo.
- Receive the Labor ID — once the profile is accepted, the system issues the Labor ID number. Keep it safe: it is used at every later step.
- Complete skills training and the CoC — the Certificate of Competence is recorded against the Labor ID.
- Medical, insurance and contract — each stage is uploaded and attached to the worker's record by the licensed PEA.
- Deployment — the placement is recorded on the LMIS, giving worker, agency and regulator a traceable file.
Workers never pay to register. A licensed PEA handles the process as part of legal recruitment; anyone selling "Labor ID registration" outside the system is a red flag.
How to check a Labor ID online
- Open the LMIS portal (lmis.gov.et) and go to the check/verification service.
- Enter the Labor ID number (or the passport number, depending on the service).
- The record shows the registration status and, where applicable, the linked CoC and deployment stage.
The embassy check service on the LMIS is used at destination: Ethiopian missions in the Gulf verify a worker's file — job order, attested contract and Labor ID — before a deployment clears. If an agency tells you a worker is "processed" but nothing appears against her Labor ID, stop and ask the PEA for the file reference.
How to check a CoC by Labor ID
The Certificate of Competence confirms the worker completed the required skills training. It is recorded on the LMIS against the Labor ID, so the same check service shows whether a valid CoC exists. For GCC employers this matters twice: it is required for legal deployment, and it tells you the worker actually trained for the role you are hiring for.
For GCC agencies: what to verify before you pay anything
- The Ethiopian partner is a MoLS-licensed PEA with a current licence.
- The worker has a Labor ID and a CoC visible on the LMIS.
- The job order and contract are attested by the Ethiopian Embassy in your country.
- Your own licence (MOHRE/Tadbeer, Musaned, PAM, LMRA or MoL) is in order — Ethiopia's side checks the foreign employer too.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How do I register for a Labor ID online?
Through the LMIS at lmis.gov.et — directly or via a MoLS-licensed Private Employment Agency, which is the normal route for overseas domestic work. Registration itself is free for the worker.
How do I check my Labor ID status?
Use the check service on the LMIS portal with your Labor ID or passport number. It shows your registration status and the stages recorded against your file, including the CoC.
What is the embassy check on the LMIS?
Ethiopian embassies in destination countries use the LMIS to verify a worker's file — the attested job order, contract and Labor ID — before deployment clears. It is the checkpoint that protects workers from fake offers.
Can a GCC agency check a worker's Labor ID?
Yes — through its licensed Ethiopian PEA, which operates inside the LMIS and can confirm the worker's registration, CoC and processing stage before any commitment is made.
I was asked to pay for Labor ID registration. Is that normal?
No. Workers do not pay recruitment fees under Ethiopian law — the employer side bears the costs. Anyone charging workers for "registration" is operating outside the legal channel.
