Tanzania government to pay new salaries from August

 

By Sharon Sauwa

Reporter

Mwananchi Communications Lmited

Summary

·         President Samia Suluhu Hassan had announced the salary increase during the celebration of International Workers’ Day (May Day) at the national event held in Morogoro Region in May 2023.

Dodoma. The government has confirmed that the long-awaited annual salary increase will begin to be paid next month.

The Minister of State in the President’s Office (Public Service Management and Good Governance), George Simbachawene addressed the matter yesterday, in response to The Citizen’s inquiry regarding the salary increase, which was originally intended to take effect from the start of the financial year in July.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan had announced the salary increase during the celebration of International Workers’ Day (May Day) at the national event held in Morogoro Region in May 2023.

Her announcement marked the reinstatement of the annual salary increase system, which had been discontinued by President John Magufuli in 2016.

Explaining the delay in implementing the new salaries, Mr Simbachawene cited logistical challenges in changing the salary systems.

He reassured civil servants that the new salaries, along with arrears, will commence payment from August this year.

“We will start paying new salaries in August, and we will pay with arrears,” said Simbachawene.

The failure to pay the new salaries has resulted in complaints from some public servants across the country who were eagerly anticipating the fulfillment of the promise to start in July 2023.

Mr Tumaini Nyamhokya, President of the Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA), confirmed that they recently contacted Mr Simbachawene and held a meeting with the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Juma Mkomi, seeking clarification on the matter.

He noted that after the consultations TUCTA has realized that while the government had initially aimed to honour its promise in July, technical reasons led to the delay. The government has since pledged to implement the new salary increase for workers in August this year.

Calling upon public servants to remain patient and uphold their commitment to providing services with high morale and standards, Mr Nyamhokya emphasized the importance of the government fulfilling its promises to boost civil servants’ morale.

“I request that the government act on this crucial matter since it has pledged to keep raising employee morale and enhancing the delivery of services to the public,” he said.

Dr Paul Loisulie, Chairman of the Tanzania Higher Learning Institutions Trade Union (THTU), said his organization had also received complaints from its members regarding the non-payment of the salary increase.

Dr Loisulie disclosed that they sought answers from the public service management to address the workers’ concerns.

Ms Leah Ulaya, President of the Tanzania Teachers’ Union (TTU), expressed disappointment that the salary increase had not been implemented for all government employees.

Ms Ulaya recalled the promise made by President Samia herself and urged the government to honour its commitment to uplift the workers’ morale.

“I work as a teacher, so many of my colleagues have basically been asking us, as their leaders, why nothing has been said about what has been promised to us,” said Ms Ulaya.

With August around the corner, public servants remain hopeful that the government will deliver on its promise and enhance the well-being of its workforce.