Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE government is committed to strike a balance between the demands of truck drivers and the rights of their employers, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said on Tuesday.
The Premier made the statement in the wake of reports that the in-transit truck drivers are mulling to stage an unlawful strike, in a bid to press for an increase in their remunerations as well as improved working conditions.
Mr Majaliwa said the goal is to guarantee that drivers keep their jobs and receive their right-ful remuneration according to the law, for them to continue providing for their families without infringing on the rights of their employers.
He added that the government was not happy with the on-going drivers’ complaints and urged the In-Transit Tanzania Drivers Association not to halt transportation services, as the government was addressing their concerns.
The PM made the comments in Dodoma on Tuesday, during a meeting with the ministers of three dockets, to discuss the matter of the planned truck drivers’ strike, among other things.
In attendance were the Minister of State for the Prime Minister’s Office (Labor, Employment, Youth, and the Disabled), Professor Joyce Ndalichako, Minister of State, President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Governments, Mr Innocent Bashungwa, Minister for Home Affairs, Hamad Masauni, along with the Permanent Secretaries of the respective ministries.
Also in attendance was the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Camillus Wambura.
According to Mr Majaliwa, at the centre of the drivers’ protest is the minimum travel allowance, not receiving job contracts, working without having health insurance and lack of social security services, so they may be certain of receiving benefits after retirement.
The drivers are also demanding to receive their monthly pay checks in banks rather than receiving them in cash.
Mr Majaliwa stressed that the government was working on their concerns, warning individuals or groups involved in inciting the drivers to stage the unlawful strike to stop immediately or else legal action would be taken against them.
He urged all drivers to continue with their work and appreciate the positive gesture by the government to address complaints raised by their association and truck owners.
The Prime Minister underlined the fact that the government recognises the importance of the transport sector in the economy, insisting that there is still a room for discussions on issues facing the drivers.
He urged them to file their complaints through official channels to relevant authorities so that the grievances could be solved.
“Instead of downing tools and stopping the trucks from providing services, the drivers association should provide a list of companies that were not paying them accordingly for legal action to be taken against them.
Doing otherwise would wreck the economy,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Police Force has issued a warning to some truck drivers who are instigating a strike, saying they will all be arrested and legal action taken against them.
Speaking to journalists in Dodoma on Tuesday, Commissioner for Operations and Training at the force, Awadhi Juma Haji, instructed the regional police commanders to take strict legal action against people who are found to be encouraging their fellow drivers to go on strike.
On Monday, the Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Employment, Youth and People with Disabilities), Prof Ndalichako reminded stakeholders in the transport sector that the government had on July 22, 2022, issued a statement on steps taken to address grievances by drivers and their employers.
Prof Ndalichako stated further that their complaints related to the rate of travel allowance have been heard and addressed, while doors are still open for more discussions.
The minister explained that after discussions between the government on one hand and representatives of drivers and truck owners on the other, the parties agreed on minimum travel allowances.
She, however, expressed concerns that some drivers did not receive the information positively and as a result they have been mobilising others to stage an unlawful strike
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