THE National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has issued a two months ultimatum to 3,234 employers in Dar es Salaam to pay arrears of workers monthly contributions before the end of June, this year.
The NSSF Acting Director for Operations,
Mr James Oigo, told reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday that up to
March 2016, a total of 21.4bn/- had not been submitted as required by
the scheme laws and regulations.
“We are giving them two months to pay their arrears. For us going to court is the last resort.
They are our customers and we do not
want to ruin the relationship we have with them. But after two months we
will have no option other than suing them,” he said.
Mr Oigo said according to NSSF Act
Section 14 of 1997 all employers are required to present their monthly
contributions of their employees within 30 days from the date of the end
of the relevant month.
Contrary to that it is a violation of
the law which is regarded as a criminal offence. He further said some
employers for their own reasons had failed to fulfil their
responsibility, something which has hindered their daily activities,
especially when it comes to paying pension.
According to NSSF, more than 8,000
members have not submitted their monthly contributions. The scheme has
26,000 members from both government and private sectors.
Expounding further, he said punishment for employers who fails to submit monthly contributions include two months imprisonment.
On employers who topped the NSSF list of
defaulters, he said, Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) was
among them and they have an ongoing court case, he said it was clear
that the company was having difficulties even to pay salaries for their
workers.
Regarding the schemes plan to make sure
their debtors submitted workers contributions, he said they have
prepared national campaign in which they will be visiting all employers
with the aim to remind employers and employees the importance of the
scheme. The campaign will commence on May 2.
“Through that campaign we will also
remind them on the laws and regulations, importance of submitting
monthly contributions on time in which we will also enrol all employees
who are not our members,” he elaborated.
Mr Oigo said they have already contacted
Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and assured them full support once
they reach a stage to take some of the employers to court.
The Acting Director of Planning,
Investment and Project for NSSF, Mr Mseli Abdallah, also reminded their
tenants to pay rent and those who own houses under a higher purchase
agreement to clear their debts as stipulated in their contract.
“Some tenants are trying to find lawyers
who will defend them during eviction, we advise them to pay their debts
and rent as require as that is the only solution,” he noted.
Mr Abdallah said plans were underway to
evict all tenants who have defaulted in paying their debts and take
legal measures against them.
He said for those who bought houses from
NSSF should be reminded that if they fail to pay the money the scheme
has a right to take back their houses.
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