Government, drivers at loggerheads over way forward

Dar es Salaam. Commuter and upcountry bus drivers yesterday strongly rejected government’s suggestions regarding their grievances which led to a strike that paralysed transport in most parts of the country last week.

The government had earlier promised to work on their grievances which include revoking the regulation that needs them to go back to class whenever they want to renew their driving licences.

They also wanted the government to prevail over bus owners and ensure that they provide them with quality working contracts.

The government yesterday convened a meeting to give out its stance on the matter after Labour and Employment minister Gaudensia Kabaka, Dar es Salaam regional commissioner Said Mecky Sadick and Dar es Salaam special zone Police commander Suleiman Kova promised the drivers that the government was working on their demands. The meeting yesterday was supposed to be attended by ministers for Labour and Employment, Home Affairs, Works, Transport as well as Finance.

In the new proposals presented to the drivers by the deputy minister for Labour and Employment, Dr Makongoro Mahanga, the government had resolved that it will evaluate all bus owners to ensure employment laws were adhered to and that drivers should establish a new union to replace the current associations which the drivers termed as helpless.

“The drivers’ union which the government is counting on is of no help to us, it is a two people union where only the chairman and secretary move around with files in their brief-cases,” said TTDA chairman Clement Masanja.

On the driving licences, the government had resolved that going back for refresher training was an important element in strengthening their profession, where a driver like any other professional, must go through -- a proposition that attracted criticisms from drivers who attended the meeting.

The government had issued Public Notice Number 31 directing drivers holding driving licences class E, C3, C2, C1 and C to attend a re-fresher course at any recognized institution and be examined thereafter, a move that drivers termed as exploitative.

In response to the government’s answers the drivers said there is nothing new and that they are going back to their colleagues to decide on their next move.

The drivers faulted the government for separately meeting bus owners and drivers while discussing the same issues saying it was important to arrange a meeting whereby all parties will air their views. Tanzania Truck Drivers Association (TTDA) general secretary Rashid Said told The Citizen on the sidelines of the meeting that they saw nothing new in the new proposals because those were the very ones they have been rejecting.

“We have heard what the government has for us, but we are not satisfied with the resolutions. The government should not blame us on the decision we’re are going to make,” he said.

He said drivers do not object going back to class, however, there is no assurance that once they return they would find their jobs still waiting for them.

“Our concern is that there are no binding rules to force the employer not to terminate our employment while we’re away on training,” he said.

Earlier, there was a scuffle  among participants on who should attend the meeting following the announcement by the permanent secretary in the ministry of Labour, Mr Erick Shitindi, that it was strickly for those invited.

The announcement by the PS sparked debate among those present who said there were various transport sector stakeholders who were there but only drivers were allowed in.

Among the people who were denied attendance to the meeting was the chairman of the Passengers Rights Association (Chakua), Mr Modest Mfiringe, and other representatives of other bus drivers associations.

Mr Mfiringe said the move to deny other stakeholders meant that the government was not prepared to solve drivers’ problems and that the issue could lead to a serious transport stand off if no actions are taken.