Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (formerly Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare) (MoLSW)

Under Proclamation No. 145/2005, the ministry responsible for labour and welfare registers and administers local and international NGOs in Eritrea. It decides on registration applications and work permits, approves and coordinates NGO-funded programmes and projects, authorises NGO imports and audits NGO accounts. The proclamation limits NGO activity to relief and/or rehabilitation work.

An NGO applies to the ministry using the prescribed registration forms. The ministry must issue a work permit within 30 days or explain in writing why it rejects the application. NGO activities are limited to relief and rehabilitation, and changing programmes needs the ministry's written approval. In practice, NGOs have had to renew work permits every year and resubmit projects to the ministry's NGO office for approval. The ministry can audit NGO accounts and has withdrawn permits from organisations that did not meet permit requirements.