Strabag Company has requested the government to revisit the contract signed on the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transport (DART) project, so as to allow it accommodate the new salary increment announced by the government recently.
The Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Mr Saidi Meck Sadiki
Speaking at Ubungo STRABAG offices, Dar es Salaam Regional commissioner (RC) Saidi Meck Sadiki, said the new salary increment came after STRABAG had already signed and set a budget to run the DART project.
“The government will go back to the table for discussion with the concerned firm to revisit the contract, so as to enable the company accommodate the new budget and hence pay its workers accordingly,” the RC stated.
The government’s move came in after STRABAG workers based in Dar es Salaam refused to go to work yesterday, claiming that the company has refused to pay them their allowances for the month of July and August, poor working conditions and humiliation at work.
Despite several attempts by their representatives to STRABAG management, the workers claim that their leaders were not listening to them, hence it was difficult for them to air their grievances. John Mwita, a drainage technician lamenting on poor working conditions, alleged that they were facing a lot of challenges particularly when some of them sustain injuries.
“Imagine when someone is injured at work site, he or she has to look for a sick sheet at the offices and later go to hospital at Mikocheni using own means,” says Mwita.
A truck driver who preferred anonymity said before the increment of salaries announced by the government, the company used to pay its workers a house allowance of 30,000/-, Transport allowance of 15,000/-, Food allowance of 20,000/- and a basic salary of 150,000/- per month.
“However, following the salary increment announced by the government, the salary has jumped to 325,000/- per month down from 150,000/-, the allowances were reduced almost to zero. We lack working gadgets such as gloves, helmets and boots.
What we are only proud of are only reflectors that identify us as STRABAG workers,” says the driver. On the other hand, they urged the ministry concerned to closely follow up on promises made by STRABAG management recently, when the Minister for Works, Dr John Magufuli visited the workers.
“They told the minister that a container full of working gadgets was due to arrive at the Dar es Salaam port, but up to now nothing has been delivered to us since the minister left. We continue using our own equipment to protect ourselves at work,” said another worker.
By OCHIENG OGWENO, Tanzania Daily News
