Dar es Salaam. The Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (Tucta) President, Mr Tumaini Nyamhokya, has called on employers to uphold the rights of journalists and media workers by ensuring full compliance with labour laws and regulations.
Mr Nyamhokya made the remarks on Monday, May 25, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, during a workshop organised for members of the Journalists and Media Workers Union of Tanzania (Jowuta) from Dar es Salaam and Coast regions on services provided by the Workers Compensation Fund (WCF).
He said Tucta had started monitoring employers accused of violating journalists’ rights and urged them to adopt a humane approach in handling workers and workplace-related matters.
“Challenges involving workers’ rights do not affect only junior employees; even senior leaders can face them. Today you may be a director or hold a senior office, but once you leave that position, you return to being an ordinary worker,” said Mr Nyamhokya.
He added that leaders who fail to enforce labour laws should understand that they, too, may eventually encounter workplace challenges or require protection after leaving office.
“It is important for every employer to ensure workers’ rights are respected because a sound labour system protects everyone regardless of position,” he said.
WCF officer, Ms Laura Kunenge, said the fund continues providing education to employees on their rights and procedures for accessing compensation and other benefits in cases of work-related injuries or harm.
Ms Kunenge said WCF has continued offering services in accordance with existing laws and regulations while emphasising the importance of effective communication between workers, employers, and the fund to improve access to services.
“We encourage workers to report workplace accidents or injuries early so that compensation procedures can be completed on time,” she said.
She added that the fund would continue collaborating with trade unions to provide regular education programmes aimed at improving awareness of workers’ rights and responsibilities at workplaces.
Jowuta chairman, Mr Mussa Juma, said the union has so far registered more than 400 members across the country, with recruitment efforts continuing.
Mr Juma said that despite the progress, many journalists continue to face difficult working conditions, including the lack of formal employment contracts, low salaries, and inadequate social security coverage.
“Many journalists continue working under difficult conditions without employment contracts, a situation that denies them job security and limits access to their rights when workplace problems arise,” he said.
He added that Jowuta would continue advocating improved welfare for journalists through collaboration with institutions responsible for protecting workers’ rights in order to make the profession safer and improve working conditions for media practitioners.
