What You Need to Know
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Welfare and Social Development in Tanzania has called for enhanced oversight of overseas employment to safeguard workers from unfair contracts and low wages. The committee emphasized the need for increased internship opportunities for youth to develop practical skills, while also reviewing the ministry’s budget for the upcoming financial year.
Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Welfare and Social Development has called for stronger oversight of overseas employment opportunities to protect Tanzanian workers from unfair contracts and low pay.
The committee also urged the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) – Labour, Employment and Relations to expand youth access to internship programmes aimed at building practical skills.
The directives were issued by Committee Chairperson Ms Hawa Mchafu following discussions with officials from the Prime Minister’s Office in Dodoma.
“The ministry should increase opportunities for youth to receive practical skills training through internships, while also ensuring that Tanzanians seeking work abroad are protected with fair pay and effective contracts,” she said.
Ms Mchafu said the committee reviewed and approved the ministry’s budget plan and revenue and expenditure estimates for the 2026/27 financial year. She noted that, despite progress in implementing the 2025/26 budget, more efforts are needed to improve employment opportunities and strengthen labour protection.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office – Labour, Employment and Relations, Mr Deus Sangu, said the upcoming budget will focus on expanding employment opportunities, improving service delivery and supporting development projects in line with Vision 2050.
He said the government will implement the planned activities in compliance with laws and regulations to ensure citizens benefit from employment and labour initiatives.
Mr Sangu also briefed the committee on the implementation of the electronic registration and dispute resolution system (e-UTATUZI), launched this year to improve access to labour dispute services.
He said the ministry will conduct seminars for committee members to familiarise them with the system, enabling them to guide citizens on how to submit complaints and receive resolutions without visiting the Commission for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA) offices.
Tanzania has faced challenges in protecting its workers abroad, often leading to exploitation through unfair contracts and inadequate pay. The government has been working to improve labor laws and oversight mechanisms to ensure that Tanzanian citizens are treated fairly in overseas employment. Recent initiatives aim to enhance skill development for youth, aligning with national development goals such as Vision 2050, which seeks to create more job opportunities and improve labor conditions for all citizens.
