By Alfred Zacharia
The Director General of the Workers Compensation Fund (WCF), Mr. John Mduma, has outlined eight key achievements realized by the Fund under President Samia Suluhu Hassan's four-year leadership.
He was speaking at a press conference organized by the Office of the Treasury Registrar today in Dar es Salaam, emphasizing that these milestones reflect the Sixth-Phase Government’s commitment to social protection and better working conditions.
Established under the Workers Compensation Act No. 20 of 2008 and operational since July 1, 2015, the WCF provides social security protection to all workers in both public and private sectors against injuries, illnesses, or deaths arising out of and in the course of employment.
Mr. Mduma noted that under President Samia’s leadership, the Fund has made tremendous progress in building a more transparent and responsive compensation system.
“In line with the government’s broader goal of improving workers’ welfare, we have implemented several key reforms that ease the burden on employers and strengthen protection for employees,” said Mr. Mduma.
Among the most impactful changes is the reduction of contribution rates for private sector employers from 1 percent to 0.5 percent of employees’ monthly earnings, aligning them with public institutions.
Mr. Mduma explained that this move was aimed at promoting fairness and easing operational costs for employers.
“The decision was taken to enable employers to redirect savings toward other productive business areas, ultimately supporting job creation and business growth,” he said.
Another major initiative was the waiver of interest penalties for employers who delayed contribution payments.
“In September 2021, the government decided to lower the penalty from 10 percent to 2 percent per month for the period between October 1, 2017, and August 31, 2021,” he said.
This measure, he noted, was part of President Samia’s commitment to opening up the business environment and removing financial bottlenecks for enterprises.
On the benefits side, WCF also made history by introducing a minimum compensation amount for workers who sustain work-related injuries but do not suffer 100 percent disability.
“Previously, there was no set lower limit, but now affected workers are assured of at least TZS 275,702.83,” said Mr. Mduma. “This has given workers more dignity and certainty during recovery.”
Since the beginning of President Samia’s term, a total of 19,650 beneficiaries—comprising injured workers and dependents of deceased employees—have received compensation from the Fund.
“This is not just a number. These are real lives changed,” he emphasized.
One of those lives is that of Emmaculatha Mkula, a widow whose husband, a former Bank of Tanzania (BoT) employee, died in a car accident in 2021.
“I never knew about WCF before, but after my husband’s death, BoT guided me,” she said.
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| Ms. Emmaculata Mkula speaking to editors and journalists in Dar es Salaam |
“My firstborn reached 18 years, and technically he no longer qualified for support, but since he was still studying, WCF continued paying his university fees,” she told journalists.
Beyond compensation, the Fund has expanded its benefits package from a limited scope to seven major categories.
These include unlimited medical care, short-term and permanent disability benefits, dependents’ pension, caregiver support, rehabilitation, and funeral assistance.
“We believe in holistic care, not just writing a cheque,” said Mr. Mduma.
In the area of digital transformation, WCF has implemented robust Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems, enabling more than 90 percent of services to be accessed online.
“We have drastically reduced bureaucracy, enhanced transparency, and improved service delivery through digital platforms,” he said.
The Fund’s digital revolution has not gone unnoticed.
In 2024, WCF was awarded ISO certification in recognition of its high service quality standards.
It also earned second place in the 2025 e-Government Authority (eGA) Awards for public institutions excelling in aligning with digital governance frameworks, and third place in the 2025 TEHAMA Awards for effectively using ICT to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles.
In 2023, WCF also won a major award from the International Social Security Association (ISSA) for its exemplary use of technology in service delivery.
“We take pride in these recognitions, not because they decorate our offices, but because they prove we are on the right track in building a more effective social protection system,” said Mr. Mduma.
The Fund has also conducted extensive public education and awareness campaigns targeting both employers and employees.
These efforts have helped reduce workplace accidents and illnesses while encouraging timely registration and compliance.
“Awareness is key. We want workers to understand their rights and employers to know their responsibilities,” he said.
Engineer Patrick Pulugu, a former TANESCO worker, is one of the beneficiaries of WCF’s improved services.
After an accident in 2021 left him with a 50 percent hearing loss, he received support from the Fund until his retirement at age 60.
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| Eng. Patrick speaking to editors and journalists in Dar es Salaam |
“That’s when the support stopped, but after legal amendments in 2024, I received a call from WCF asking me to visit their Kijitonyama branch for re-assessment. Soon after, the support resumed,” he shared.
Despite these successes, Mr. Mduma acknowledged that some challenges remain.
“A key issue is the failure of some employers to register and submit contributions on time, denying workers their rightful benefits in times of need,” he said.
He urged all employers to comply fully with the law to ensure that no worker is left unprotected.
“The Fund is stable and ready to serve. All we ask is for employers to play their part,” he concluded.
As Tanzania continues to strengthen its social protection systems, the achievements of the Workers Compensation Fund under President Samia’s administration demonstrate a tangible shift toward safeguarding workers’ rights and ensuring no one is left behind in times of crisis.