Seasonal migrant passes to be issued at district level

DODOMA: THE government is working to install a system for the issuance of seasonal migrant passes at the district level, the National Assembly heard on Friday.

Home Affairs Minister Hamad Masauni said that seasonal migrant pass was introduced for seasonal migrant farm workers coming from neighbouring countries.

The minister was responding to a question from Ngara MP Ndaisaba Ruhoro, who wanted to know about the government’s plans to issue seasonal passes at District Immigration Offices.

Mr Masauni said that the government has completed the system’s installation at the regional level and is making preparations to extend the service to the district level. He noted that the installation of the system at the district level will prioritise border districts.

Mr Masauni added that through the Immigration Act, Chapter 54, 2016 Revised Edition, the government amended the 1997 Immigration Regulations to account for the rights of certain groups of foreigners, particularly from neighbouring countries, who enter the country to work temporarily, especially in the agricultural sector and other seasonal activities.

“Through these amendments, the government introduced the ‘Seasonal Migrant Pass’ under GN No. 518 of 2018, which is issued to these foreigners for a period of three to six months to align with the agricultural season in the respective year,” he stated.

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The Minister said to ensure that citizens, especially in border areas, are aware of the seasonal passes being issued, the Immigration Office in Tanzania is collaborating with immigration offices of neighbouring countries to ensure that their citizens follow the proper procedures for acquiring seasonal permits.

Meanwhile, the government has allocated 350m/- for the construction of a Grade A police station in the Tarime Police District. Minister Masauni said that the construction of the station is expected to cost 1.2bn/-.

He was responding to a question by Special Seats MP Esther Matiko (Chadema), who wanted to know when the government will build district-level police stations in Tarime, Sirari, Utegi and Nyamwaga, to the same standards as the Mtumba station in Dodoma.

Mr Masauni said that the government will also upgrade other police stations, including those in Sirari, Utegi and Nyamwaga, to meet district-level standards.

The Minister noted that modern systems and infrastructure will be installed to ensure the efficient execution of police duties, in line with criminal justice requirements and the basic needs of all community groups.

He confirmed that the assessment for implementing the upgrades has already begun.