Reviewed social security law oppressive - Farmers

By Correspondent

31st July 2012

  Workers threaten to stop contributions

MVIWATA

Workers with the Network of Farmers' Groups (MVIWATA) have threatened to stop paying their compulsory contributions for the social security fund. They warned they would carry out the threat if the amendments passed by Parliament in April earlier in the year were not only kept from implementation but reversed.

They called on the government to undo with the amendment calling it ‘oppressive’ and that it was but another ploy to deny them their rights.

Reading a statement by the MVIWATA workers, Janeth George, said they were joining the hands of fellow workers who objected to the amendments that have already been signed by President Jakaya Kikwete.
The President authorized that workers be allowed to withdraw their social security contributions after and only after, attaining the voluntary retirement age of 55 or the compulsory one at 60.

Janeth George, the MVIWATA representative, expressed the group’s response to the president’s move as been disheartened and even went on to describe the official pass by house and presidential signatory as fraudulent and even allegations of corruption.

 “…the whole matter lacked transparency … the same applies to how funds are managed…”
MVIWATA workers unanimously do not agree with the social security act amendments and have termed it ‘oppressive to the workers’.

The workers are backed by several members who also want the law reversed.

MVIWATA Executive Director, Stephen Ruvuga, said the amendments to the law would deny workers opportunities to start their own businesses outside of their regular ‘9 to 5’ jobs.

He advised the government to ensure that it only upholds laws that do not hamper citizens from undertaking activities for their own development and this includes having access to their own finds to invest in businesses of their choosing.
Before the amendment to the law, he said, workers could access to their savings six months after quiting from a formal employment.

He said for one to wait until he or she is 55 or 60 is akin to condemning them  to live in poverty all the while ones money is being held by the fund to which one was patriotically contributing to during the course of their tenure. 
The director laid out bluntly the fact that most workers fear that they may not be paid at all what with the short life span and even if they should survive to retire, they are then faced with the lengthy and tiresome paperwork process at an age when they can no longer compete and may very well be ailing.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN