Journalists in Tanzania have been urged to play a stronger role in bridging information gaps between the Workers Compensation Fund (Workers Compensation Fund (WCF)), employers, workers, and their dependents, in efforts to improve awareness and understanding of workers’ rights and compensation procedures.
The call was made by the President of the Tanzania Trade Unions Congress (Tanzania Trade Unions Congress (TUCTA)), Comrade Tumaini Nyamhokya, during the opening of a training session for members of the Journalists of Working Media in Tanzania (Journalists of Working Media in Tanzania (JOWUTA)), held on May 25, 2026, in Dar es Salaam.
Nyamhokya said journalists are an essential link in ensuring that accurate and accessible information reaches the public, particularly on institutions such as WCF, which are responsible for protecting workers when they suffer injuries, illnesses, or death resulting from work-related activities.
He noted that strengthening journalists’ understanding of the workers’ compensation system would enable them to report more accurately and responsibly, while also helping to educate employers on the importance of registering with WCF and consistently submitting employee contributions on time.
He further stressed the need for timely reporting of workplace accidents, occupational diseases, and work-related deaths, saying delays in reporting often affect the speed and effectiveness of compensation processing for affected workers and their families.
According to him, WCF operates under the Workers Compensation Act, Cap. 263, and serves both public and private sector employees by providing protection and financial support in cases of work-related injuries, disability, or death.
The Fund provides a range of benefits, including medical care, compensation for temporary or permanent disability, caregiver allowances, funeral assistance, and financial support to dependents in the event of a worker’s death due to occupational causes.
Nyamhokya commended JOWUTA for organizing the training, saying such initiatives are important in strengthening professional capacity among journalists while also contributing to the broader labour movement in the country.
He added that informed journalism plays a key role in empowering workers with knowledge about their rights and encouraging them to join trade unions, which strengthens collective bargaining and advocacy for better working conditions.
He concluded by reminding participants of the global workers’ solidarity slogan “Solidarity Forever,” emphasizing unity as a foundation for protecting workers’ rights, dignity, and welfare across all sectors.
