Journalists in Tanzania have been urged to deepen their understanding of workers’ compensation rights and strengthen unity in advocating for better working conditions in the media industry.
The call was made by the Chairperson of the Journalists’ Workers Union of Tanzania (JOWUTA), Mussa Juma Siwayombe, during the opening of a one-day training on workers’ compensation for JOWUTA members held in Dar es Salaam in collaboration with the Workers Compensation Fund (WCF).
The training brought together journalists from Dar es Salaam and Coast regions, aimed at increasing awareness of compensation benefits, workplace safety rights, and procedures for filing claims under Tanzania’s labour laws.
Siwayombe said the training marks a key step in strengthening cooperation between journalists and institutions responsible for protecting workers, adding that it will also improve how journalists report on labour and social protection issues.
He expressed gratitude to WCF Director General Dr. John Mduma and his team for supporting the initiative, noting that discussions to organize the training had taken several months before its successful implementation.
He said the program is expected to be expanded to other regions, including the Northern Zone, Lake Zone, and Southern Highlands, so that more journalists across the country can benefit.
“This training will not only strengthen our understanding of workers’ compensation but also help journalists become better informed reporters on labour rights and social protection matters,” he said.
Siwayombe also praised the leadership of the TUCTA, led by President Comrade Tumaini Nyamuhokya, for continued cooperation and support since JOWUTA joined the national trade union structure.
He said collaboration between media workers and the wider labour movement is essential to ensuring journalists receive fair treatment, just like workers in other sectors.
He highlighted that a major challenge facing the media industry is the high number of journalists working without permanent or formal contracts, which limits their access to social security protection and employment benefits.
According to him, more than 70 percent of journalists in Tanzania are currently in informal employment arrangements, calling for urgent reforms to improve job security in the sector.
Siwayombe emphasized that WCF plays a crucial role in protecting workers by providing compensation in cases of injury, illness, disability, or death arising from work-related activities.
He noted that the fund offers benefits such as medical treatment, compensation for temporary and permanent disability, caregiver allowances, dependents’ benefits, rehabilitation services, and funeral assistance.
“These services are designed to ensure that no worker or their family is left unprotected when workplace accidents or risks occur,” he said.
During the training, WCF experts are expected to guide participants on eligibility criteria, claims procedures, and documentation required to access compensation services.
Siwayombe urged participants to take the training seriously and share the knowledge with fellow journalists to expand awareness across the profession.
He also called on media owners to register journalists with WCF and other social security schemes, stressing that compliance with labour laws is key to protecting workers’ rights.
He further encouraged employers in the media sector to provide either permanent or contractual employment agreements to journalists, enabling them to benefit from formal social protection systems.
He noted that the current training involves only 90 JOWUTA members from Dar es Salaam and Coast regions out of 407 members nationwide, urging WCF to expand similar programs to other zones.
Siwayombe said journalists from other regions have shown strong interest in similar training, adding that expanding coverage would strengthen understanding of labour rights across the country.
He also acknowledged ongoing government efforts to address labour challenges in the media sector, including inspections aimed at identifying employers who engage journalists without proper contracts.
He said enforcement measures are expected to improve compliance and ensure fair treatment of workers in the industry.
He concluded by urging journalists to remain united under the global labour principle of “Solidarity Forever,” saying unity remains the strongest tool for defending workers’ rights and improving working conditions in the media sector.
