Implement laws, guidelines on safety at workplaces- investors told 

Prof Ndalichako

DAR ES SALAAM: MINISTER of State, Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disability), Prof Joyce Ndalichako, has urged investors to ensure they implement laws and guidelines on safety and health at their workplaces.

Prof Ndalichako made the directive immediately after making impromptu visit at the production companies of FAA Logistics, RAPHAEL Logistics and MJM packaging Manufacturing Ltd in Dar es Salaam Region.

During her tour, Prof Ndalichako noticed a serious shortcoming in the installation of systems for protecting workers against risks of diseases and accidents.

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Other shortcomings included employees not having contracts, employers’ failure to submit employees’ contributions to the social security scheme and not paying the workers on time.

“We have conducted a surprise visit and identified various challenges facing workers at workplaces, so I call upon all employers and investors to ensure they observe laws and guidelines about issues of employments,” she stressed.

The minister used the opportunity to direct the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA), Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) and National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to go and inspect those workplaces in a bid to look for solutions to the challenges.

“Do inspection upon which we will issue an order to investors for implementation for the benefits of workers,” she said.

Furthermore, Prof Ndalichako urged employees at all workplaces to cooperate with authorities in expressing challenges they face without fear.

On her part, OSHA’s Chief Executive Officer Khadija Mwenda, said transport sector has big contribution to the country’s economy but it has been facing various challenges, hence, the visit aimed at identifying those challenges and see how to address them.

She said on the part of safety and health, the OSHA has noticed various shortcomings in implementation of the law and guidelines whereby they have issued directives for improvements.