The Tanzania Railway Workers Union (TRAWU) has thanked President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her efforts to improve the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) and the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA).
However, the union is asking for her help to solve the ongoing issue of the unsigned Better Conditions Agreement for TRC workers.
Speaking in Morogoro after a meeting, TRAWU's Secretary-General, Juma Masoud, said, "There are many challenges that TRC and TAZARA workers are facing, and management has not solved them."
Masoud said that the government has done well in paying salaries, improving railway infrastructure, and trying to find an investor to help TAZARA.
However, he pointed out that the salaries for February 2025 have not been paid yet because of management's failure to collect debts from investors who use the railway.
For TRC, Masoud praised the government for fixing the old MGR railway, increasing salaries, paying off employee debts, and restarting train services, including the launch of electric trains (EMU).
He also noted that the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) has created jobs for young people.
But he said, "Even though there is a draft of the Better Conditions Agreement for TRC workers, management has still not signed it after more than two years."
TRAWU’s National Chairman, Jacob Shindika, raised concerns about the union’s challenges in carrying out its duties. He said, "Our leaders are being threatened and humiliated. We also fear that a new union might be formed to protect management instead of workers."
Froida Mwakatundu, Chairperson of TRAWU’s Women’s Committee, talked about the poor pension benefits for TRC workers.
She said, "Some workers who have served the company for over 40 years only receive a severance payment of one million shillings."
Because of these issues, TRAWU is asking President Samia to help. "We believe she is a leader who listens and will take action to fix these problems," the union said.