| Tucta serves government with strike notice | Send to a friend |
| Wednesday, 10 March 2010 10:30 |
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The Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (Tucta), yesterday officially served the government with a 30-day notice on its intention to call a nationwide strike to press authorities to respond to workers’ grievances. The notice, according to Tucta executive secretary, Mr Nicholas Mgaya, was dispatched to the chief secretary, Mr Philemon Luhanjo; the commissioner of labour; permanent secretary in the President’s Office (Public Service Management) and Labour Economic and Social Council (Lesco). “This year’s Workers Day is the climax of a campaign we have embarked urging workers to join the strike. This time we have resolved to use May Day to create awareness on the strike. That’s why the strike action would take off on May 5,” he said. He said the notice basically lists three contentious issues which they want the government to address -- namely low salaries, excessive income tax deductions and low remunerations from pension funds schemes on retirement. He said they have observed all the required procedures before a worker can take part in a protest action. Section 85 (1) (a) of the Employment and Labour Relations Act, says an employee can take part in a protest action if the protest has been called by a registered trade union or registered federation of trade unions. Under the section, a worker can also take part in a protest action if the union or federation has served a notice to the government, stating reasons for the protest action, duration and form of the protest action. Workers can also take part in an industrial action if the 30-day notice has elapsed from the date it was served, and the union or federation has given at least fourteen days notice of the commencement of the protest action. Mr Mgaya said Tanzanian workers are overburdened due to the fact that their salaries are subjected to huge income tax deductions. “There are a lot of people in this country who evade paying tax. The government is weak and has not widened its tax base, thus shifting the tax burden to workers,” he said. On poor remuneration from pension schemes, the Tucta executive secretary said there was no logic of having six pension schemes in Tanzania and yet workers are not allowed to join a scheme of their choice. “We have six schemes. What are they for?” On Monday, Tucta declared that it would not invite any top government leader to grace May Day celebrations. Mr Mgaya said directives have been issued that Tucta regional and district leaders officiate May Day activities. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
