Don’t wait for retirement to claim dues — Homera

DODOMA: WORKERS have been urged not to wait until retirement to pursue unpaid salaries, pension contributions and other employment benefits, but instead keep track of their rights and claims throughout their working lives.

Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Dr Juma Homera, said workers should maintain proper records of their employment and take action whenever they discovered discrepancies in salaries, pension contributions or other entitlements.

He said important documents included employment contracts, appointment and transfer letters, salary records, payment slips, deduction records and evidence of expenses incurred during official transfers or travel.

Dr Homera made the call during the Sema na Waziri programme under the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign, where he provided legal education on employment rights and other matters affecting citizens.

He said workers needed to understand their employment terms from the beginning, including salaries, working hours, responsibilities and benefits attached to their jobs.

“Do not wait until retirement to start checking your contribution history. While you are still working, continue following up on your contributions,” he said.

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Dr Homera said the ministry had received complaints involving unpaid salaries for several months, salary arrears, transfer expenses, official travel costs, transportation of belongings following transfers and claims arising after workers left employment or retired.

He stressed that documentary evidence was critical when pursuing employment claims.

The minister also urged workers whose employment had been terminated to carefully study termination letters and retain all correspondence and payment records.

He said employees should establish the reasons for termination and seek legal advice or approach the relevant authorities if they believed their rights had been violated.

Dr Homera said employment disputes were handled according to their nature and the stage they had reached, with some matters falling under the Commission for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA) while others could proceed to court.

“An employee should know the time limit for filing a case, the time limit for appeal, CMA decisions, court decisions and the procedures that must be followed. The right of an employee requires sufficient evidence,” he said.

He said the government would continue using the Sema na Waziri programme through the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign to provide legal education and help citizens understand and protect their rights.

Dr Homera said workers who kept proper employment records and acted promptly when disputes arose stood a better chance of protecting their entitlements instead of allowing claims to accumulate until retirement.