MPs laud private sector wage rise

DODOMA: THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Community Development and Social Welfare has commended the government for enforcing a new minimum wage for private sector workers, saying the move reflects a strong commitment to improving social welfare.

The revised wage, which has increased from 275,060/- to 358,322/- per month representing a 33.4 per cent rise came into effect on January 1, 2026, under Government Notice No. 606A.

The Committee Chairperson, Ms Hawa Mchafu, made the remarks during a meeting convened to receive a report on the structure and mandate of the Prime Minister’s Office – Labour, Youth Employment and Persons with Disabilities.

Ms Mchafu said that during the July–December 2025 reporting period, the ministry recorded notable achievements in five key areas, reflecting improved productivity and efficiency in labour, employment and industrial relations.

She noted that the progress demonstrates growth in the country’s social welfare framework.

She added that the committee will continue to serve as a strong ambassador for the Prime Minister’s Office to ensure national social welfare objectives are achieved.

She also stressed the need for Social Security Funds and other institutions under the ministry to execute their mandates effectively and in the best interest of Tanzanians.

In her remarks, Ms Mchafu directed the ministry to develop targeted strategies to address key challenges, including the persistence of child labour in some areas, failure by some private sector employers to remit social security contributions, and the termination of short-term contracts without following prescribed procedures.

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Presenting the report, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Mr Deus Sangu, said the ministry remains committed to strengthening labour administration, expanding employment opportunities and fostering harmonious industrial relations.

He highlighted several achievements recorded between July and December 2025, including the announcement of the new minimum wage, the introduction of pension and savings benefits for self-employed members under the National Social Security Scheme, and completion of preparations for the launch of the 2023 National Social Protection Policy, scheduled for February 2026.

Mr Sangu further noted that 1,000 smallholder farmers and processors in Dodoma, Singida, Iringa and Mbeya had received skills training, while 1,432 Tanzanians had secured employment abroad by November 2025 through government coordinated programmes.

Committee members advised Social Security Funds to invest in strategic development projects capable of generating large-scale employment opportunities for young people.

They also commended the funds for strengthening the use of ICT systems, which has improved service delivery to beneficiaries.

Presenting the progress report for the Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF), the fund’s Director-General, Mr Fortunatus Magambo, said the institution remains stable and has continued to accelerate the payment of benefits to members nationwide.

Yesterday’s session received reports from the Prime Minister’s Office – Labour, Youth Employment and Persons with Disabilities, as well as PSSSF.

Today, the committee is expected to continue receiving briefings from other institutions under the ministry, including the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), the Workers’ Compensation Fund (WCF), the Commission for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA).