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TAZARA workers in Tanzania threaten to strike for salary rise
2007-08-20 08:41:30
By Grace Tinda, IJMC,
Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) workers have threatened to strike any moment to force the management increase their salaries in accordance with the new exchange rate.
Tanzania Railway Workers Union (TRAWU) General Secretary, Sylvester Rwegasira told journalists yesterday that problems with their employer began a long time ago, and have since held meetings which had unfortunately proved futile.
`The management is paying us in US dollar because workers are from two different countries, Zambia and Tanzania with different currencies.` Sylvester said.
The General Secretary added that in 1993 Tanzania workers agreed with the management to an exchange rate of 832/- per one US dollar while the actual value was 920/-
Rwegasila said they were surprised to see the management apply the same rate despite the new rate which stood at 1280/- per dollar.
`They are still paying us at the old rate of 832/- per dollar,` he said.
Rwegasira further said that their Zambian counterparts were paid at the new rate, thus earning more than their Tanzanian counterparts within the same rank.
TAZARA workers in Zambia under their Workers Union (WUTAZ) successfully went on a strike to demand for salary increment.
The Chairman of TRAWU Bakari Kiswala cautioned the management to comply with workers` demand immediately as the strike will cause loss to the government as well as the people.
Meanwhile, the Chairman for Dar es Salaam Zone, Yusufu Mandaye cautioned workers against cowardice and hypocrisy urging that they have the right to demand for their salaries.
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