Frustration as drivers’ strike grips Tanzania

Dar es Salaam. Across many sections of the city yesterday one theme dominated the talks -- the drivers’ strike -- because it almost paralysed transport in most parts of the country.

Sporadic chaos was reported in some parts of the city, notably around Ubungo Bus Terminal as police used tear gas to disperse rowdy crowds.

At long last the government yielded to demands by commuter and upcountry bus drivers, a move which saw the situation returning normal.

It appears the strike has been building up for several days as drivers had hinted earlier that this would be their last option to force the government to listen to their demands including revoking the regulation that needs them to go back to class whenever they want to renew their driving licences.

They also wanted the government to prevail over bus owners and ensure that they provide them with acceptable working contracts.

The government had issued Public Notice Number 31 directing drivers holding driving licences class E, C3, C2, C1 and C to attend a re-fresher course at any recognized institution and be examined thereafter, a move that drivers termed as being exploitative.

The drivers also demanded the release of their association’s (Umamata) leaders and other 45 drivers remanded at Buguruni Police Station in Dar es Salaam and in Morogoro Region.

Moreover, the drivers wanted to meet ministers for Labour and Employment, Ms Gaudencia Kabaka, and that of Transport, Mr Samuel Sitta, so that they could air their problems and see if solutions could be found.

Travellers stranded as riots erupt

Hundreds of travellers who arrived at the country’s major bus terminal, Ubungo, in the wee hours yesterday spent more than half of the day in frustration and uncertainty as the drivers refused to start buses.

Private cars turned commercial and were used to ferry hundreds of commuters seeking a way of getting to their working places in various parts of the city. However, the efforts could not help much because the number of commuters outnumbered vehicles.

Some Dar residents who spoke to The Citizen said most of them decided to walk all the way to their working stations.

As time passed, angry mobs, most of them drivers started attacking private cars, motorcycles, tri-cycles and lorries that carried commuters heading to the city centre.

The situation forced members of Field Force Unit (FFU) to intervene and use teargas to disperse the crowds. Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police commander Suleiman Kova and Chief of Operation Simon Sirro arrived at the scene (Ubungo) but their efforts to restore calm proved futile.

The drivers insisted on meeting the two ministers as well as the release of their colleagues held by the police. This caused the police to release the drivers and send them to Ubungo.

Government bows

It wasn’t until around 12.15pm that minister Kabaka responded to the drivers’ call. She was accompanied by regional commissioner Said Mecky Sadick and the permanent secretary in the ministry of Transport, Dr Shaaban Mwinjaka, as well as Kinondoni district commissioner Paul Makonda.

Umamata secretary Rashid Salehe told Ms Kabaka that drivers were in dilemma over the fate of their employment and that the strike aimed at asking the government to respond to their demands.

He said for over 50 years, drivers have been working without contracts, something that denies them the right be paid well, and enjoy other benefits including leave and social security cover, among others.

They also wanted the government to withdraw the re-fresher training directive to drivers. Ms Kabaka said the government was working on their demands and that everything would be in place soon.

The minister said: “I promise that there will be no re-fresher training and from now the bus owners who seek licence from my office should come with the contracts of their drivers.” She said the measure will help to stop bus owners from hiring unqualified drivers and curb road carnage.

For his part, Mr Kova said: “I have ordered all the leaders and 45 drivers to be released from remand. I’ll give you my phone number so that you will contact me should there be any problem.” Transportation resumed at around 1:20pm.

Travellers speak

Some of the travellers who spoke to The Citizen commended the drivers move saying that the government needs to be pushed to implement some of the key issues.

Ms Jamila Musa who was travelling to Tanga said that although the drivers did not use a proper way to raise their concerns, their demands were genuine.

A driver, Mr Joseph Makwaiya, said this should also imply to all other sectors where there are long time complaints.

“The government should not wait until people reach to this point to act, they must fulfill promises on time and accordingly,” he said.