State assures workers of basic rights, protection

DAILY NEWS Reporters in Dodoma

THE government has said that it will not tolerate employers who do not avail employment contracts to their workers, warning them to stop the habit at once.

It has also pledged to ensure that rule of law and principles of good governance are adhered to in the demotion, suspension and other forms of disciplinary action taken against workers to ensure protection of their rights
‘’I call upon all employers who have had the habit of not giving contracts to their workers to stop the habit immediately.
The government will not tolerate such an employer,’’ the Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, warned.
He issued the directive when opening the Sixth General Meeting of the Trade Unions Confederation of Tanzania (TUCTA) at the Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere Hall of the Institute of Rural Development Planning (IRDP) here yesterday.
In response to the employment contracts’ issue, which is one of the points raised in the TUCTA message, Mr Majaliwa referred to Section 14 of the Employment and Industrial Relations Act 2004, which guides staff employment.
He emphasised that statutorily, an employer has the responsibility to ensure that each employee possesses a written employment contract.
“I also direct that labour officers responsible for inspection of all employment cadres in the country should ensure that each employer is reached and appropriate measures taken against all those who will be found acting contrary to the Employment Act,’’ he insisted.
He pointed out that an employment contract was the right of all employees, being the key to good industrial relations that could enable harmony, tranquility, increased production and productivity in work places.
In response to another point raised in the message on the arbitrary detention, humiliation, demotions and suspensions by politicians, the prime minister said that the government, under the leadership of President John Magufuli,
will continue to adhere to the rule of law and good governance principles to ensure that workers’ rights are defended accordingly.
“In principle, employees are guided by legal and disciplinary organs that should be collectively checked before any action is taken.
“I direct fellow political leaders and other administrators in all ministries and government institutions in the regions, districts, government departments and the councils to adhere to the rule of law in dealing with various issues and Disabled), Ms Jenista Mhagama, said collaboration between employers, employees and the government was a major foundation for putting up a strong economy.
concerning the rights and responsibilities of workers,’’ he pointed out amidst ululation.
The TUCTA message had touched on, among other things, denial of promotion for public employees at appropriate duration, timeframe for establishment of sectoral salary boards, lack of regulations guiding the establishment of trade unions and employer unions, changes to social security funds and delays in pension payments.
Speaking on the same occasion, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament, Labour, Employment, Youth On the promotion of public servants, the Minister of State in the President’s Office - Public Service Management and Good Governance, Ms Angela Kairuki, said in a period of five years (2011 to 2016), about 343,689 workers were promoted.
However, she added, some of the employees lacked qualifications for promotion, posing serious challenges.
In another development, Kenya’s Central Organisation of Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General, Mr Francis Atwoli, commended the pace exhibited by the Fifth Phase Government under President Magufuli in the fight against corruption and asked Tanzanians to support him.
“I urge TUCTA to make sure that corruption does not find its way in the union because in Kenya it is rampant,’’ he told the meeting.
TUCTA expects to conduct its election to elect top officials who will lead the union for the next five years today.
The last election was conducted in 2011.