Govt demands WCF compliance

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Govt demands WCF compliance
Govt demands WCF compliance

Africa-Press – Tanzania. PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has directed all employers across the country to ensure they are registered with the Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) and submit their contributions on time to enhance the fund’s effectiveness.

The Premier said compliance with the legal obligations is essential for safeguarding workers’ rights and enhancing the fund’s ability to provide timely compensation in cases of workplace injuries and occupational diseases.

He said that compensation services for workers are not optional but a fundamental right that must be protected, promoted and managed with professionalism and a high level of accountability.

Mr Majaliwa said the sixth phase government, under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, is committed to ensuring that the country’s development goes together with the protection of workers’ rights and well-being.

The PM made the remarks yesterday while representing President Samia at the official opening of the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) held at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam.

“Employers, employees and the government must continue to work together sincerely to ensure productivity in the workplace, while at the same time safeguarding workers from occupational accidents,” he said.

“All employers in the country must fully comply with the requirements of the Workers’ Compensation Act, including registering with the Fund, submitting contributions on time and promptly reporting any incidents where employees suffer work-related hardships…failure to fulfill this obligation undermines the well-being of workers and hampers the efficiency of the fund,” he said.

Majaliwa stressed the importance of employer registration with the fund, noting that it will enhance its efficiency by ensuring sufficient resources are available to support employees in cases of occupational accidents and diseases. Mr Majaliwa also urged employers to submit accurate and timely information regarding their employees, noting that delays in doing so have hindered affected workers from receiving their rightful compensation.

He further directed employers to adopt proactive safety measures aimed at preventing workplace accidents, as key to safeguarding workers and reducing the burden on the compensation system.

Mr Majaliwa further commended WCF for achieving ISO certification from the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), describing it as a significant milestone that reflects the fund’s commitment to international standards.

He attributed the achievements to the dedication and collaboration of its staff, reaffirming that providing compensation to workers is not optional but a legal obligation.

The Premier also lauded WCF for broadening its service packages expanding from solely compensating injured workers to including support for dependants, rehabilitation services and other critical interventions.

“As a result of these efforts, today Tanzania’s workforce feels assured of timely compensation in the event of emergencies,” he said.

Mr Majaliwa further noted that WCF’s commendable progress aligns with President Samia’s 4R philosophy, which emphasises strategic reforms within government institutions to enhance service delivery and performance.

On his part, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office – Labour, Youths, Employment and Persons with Disability, Ridhiwani Kikwete, said that the 10th anniversary of WCF serves as an important opportunity to reflect on the milestones achieved, recognise existing challenges and outline strategies to further improve the Fund’s services.

“This is also a chance to express our gratitude to all stakeholders who have supported us in reaching this milestone and to show that we value their contribution to WCF’s journey of delivering quality services to the people,” he said.

Mr Kikwete pledged the government’s continued commitment to strengthening the implementation of the Workers Compensation Act, aiming to increase employer registration and participation in contributing to the fund.

“Furthermore, we urge employers to report workrelated accidents, illnesses or fatalities promptly so that our institution can respond quickly and effectively in supporting the affected individuals,” he urged.

WCF Director General, Dr John Mduma, highlighted some of the achievements in the ten years of WCF including the establishment of seven comprehensive benefit packages including medical costs, disability payments and survivor benefits.

He commended the government for reducing the employer contribution rate from 1per cent to 0.5 per cent and for lowering the penalty interest on delayed contributions from 10 to 2 per cent per month.

He said these measures have strengthened employer confidence and improved compliance with the Workers Compensation Act.

Despite significant achievements over the past decade, Dr Mduma acknowledged ongoing challenges, including delayed remittance of contributions by some employers, failure to register with the Fund and underreporting of workplace accidents and occupational diseases.

He said that WCF continues to provide education to employers to enhance the implementation of the Compensation Act.

Dr Mduma reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of protecting the rights and welfare of workers in collaboration with various stakeholders.

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