More than 2,000 workers and citizens from Njombe Region and other parts of Tanzania have benefited from free health services during the International Occupational Safety and Health Day celebrations organized by the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) in collaboration with the Workers Compensation Fund.
The event, held at Mji Mwema grounds in Njombe, attracted strong participation from both public and private institutions, with 150 companies and organizations taking part.
This is a significant increase compared to 70 institutions that participated in last year’s event held in Singida Region.
The large turnout also drew hundreds of residents who visited exhibition booths to learn about workplace safety, occupational health, and labour rights.
OSHA Executive Director Khadija Mwenda said the 2026 celebrations recorded remarkable success in both participation and service delivery, reflecting growing awareness of workplace safety issues in the country. She said the event was designed not only for awareness creation but also to directly bring essential services closer to the public.
Mwenda said more than 2,000 people received free medical services during the event. The services were provided by specialist doctors from OSHA, Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI), Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), Mirembe Mental Health Hospital, and other partner health facilities.
She added that citizens also benefited from psychological counselling services and health education sessions focusing on stress management, mental wellbeing, workplace safety practices, and prevention of occupational diseases.
She noted that the strong turnout showed increased public understanding of the importance of safe working environments.
In addition, OSHA and its partners distributed various safety equipment to different groups, including motorcycle riders, food vendors (mama lishe), and informal sector workers who are often exposed to workplace risks without adequate protection.
Tanzania Trade Union Congress (TUCTA) President Tumaini Nyamhokya urged workers to report employers who fail to display OSHA registration signs at workplaces. He said such signs are an important indicator of compliance with occupational safety laws.
Nyamhokya said cooperation between OSHA and trade unions has helped improve working conditions and strengthen worker protection over the past decade.
He added that TUCTA will continue working closely with OSHA to ensure that workers operate in safe and fair environments.
He further stressed that workers should not hesitate to report unsafe workplaces, noting that enforcement of safety regulations is key to protecting lives and improving productivity.
He also reaffirmed TUCTA’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at formalizing and safeguarding employment across all sectors.
The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations), Deus Sangu, said OSHA plays a crucial role in safeguarding workers’ health and supporting national economic development.
He confirmed government commitment to strengthening the institution to achieve its objectives.
Sangu noted significant improvements in OSHA’s capacity, saying the authority has increased its operational fleet from 15 vehicles in earlier years to more than 60 vehicles currently.
He also said the government has invested about TZS 7 billion in modern inspection equipment to enhance workplace monitoring and compliance enforcement.
He further issued a 90-day directive to OSHA, the Workers Compensation Fund (WCF), and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to intensify employer registration and recover outstanding contributions.
He warned that some employers continue to operate outside the law by failing to register or remit statutory contributions.
The Minister said there are about 200,000 employers in the country, but fewer than 100,000 are registered with OSHA and WCF.
He ordered that the remaining employers must be registered within three months to ensure full compliance with labour laws.
Sangu also directed stronger enforcement against employers who fail to comply with statutory obligations, noting that such practices undermine workers’ welfare and national social protection systems.
He revealed that previous enforcement efforts have already yielded results, with over 4,000 employers newly registered following earlier directives. However, he insisted that continued action is needed to close the compliance gap.
On NSSF, he said the fund had previously been owed more than TZS 300 billion by employers, but has managed to recover over TZS 270 billion in the past nine months, representing about 70 percent progress. He urged the fund to sustain recovery efforts and take firm legal action against persistent defaulters.
The Njombe celebrations were widely viewed as a major step in strengthening workplace safety awareness, improving access to healthcare services, and reinforcing compliance with labour regulations.
They also highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to expand social protection coverage and ensure safe working conditions for all workers across Tanzania.
