Telecommunication Workers Union of Tanzania in hot conflict again

By Elisha Magolanga TUICo

Telecommunication Workers Union of Tanzania (TEWUTA) leaders of Dar es Salaam branches have condemned the government and TTCL management to cooperate with non registered workers union in organizing workers interest. 

Addressing journalists in Dares Salaam yesterday, the Chairperson of TEWUTA Dar es Salaam Deogratias Machibya said that the Secretary General Junus Ndalo has betrayed the union by using TEWUTA umbrella to introduce Telecommunication Service Workers Union of Tanzania.

He said that TEWUTA is an illegal workers union that registered on 24^th November 2004 under the Registrar of Trade Union (RTU) with Reg. no 018 which its members are TTCL workers only. 

“There is another union workers apart from TEWUTA emerged and took over TEWUTA mandate and authority to use members fund to enrich themselves. They have a marriage with TTCL management and government as a result of violation of workers rights” said Machibya.

Moreover, Machibya added that TEWUTA Dar es Salaam workers wrote a form TUF number 6 that directing Employer to install 2 percent union fee into their branches account but it has ignored and still install into unregistered workers union.

“Surprisingly the TTCL management has called the conversation meeting on 11^{th -} 13^th this month at Giraffe Ocean View Hotel to legitimate the contract no 162/2010 signed against the rule by that leaders” said Machibya.

He further added that all agenda to be discussed in the coming meeting it is against 67 (2) article of Employment and Labor Act no.6 of 2004 and its article no. 42 of 16th February 2007

Supporting to Machibya argument, the secretary General of TEWUTA Central Dar ea Salaam branch L. Ishengoma said they have committed to represent their fellow workers allover the country as they send them.

Ishengoma condemned Ndalo to break central council and executive council before election and refused to call for election according to TEWUTA constitution.

On the other side, the Secretary General of Telecommunication Workers Union of Tanzania Junus Ndalo said that it is not true that TEWUTA has changed and there is no new union introduced through TEWUTA umbrella.   

He said “In 17^th December 2010 the TEWUTA central committee agreed to expand the union apart from having only TTCL workers according to the constitution hence now include union members from Air Aviation, Telesecurity, Posta, Tigo, Zantel, Vodacom, and Airtel”

Ndalo added that the complainant is just a small group of leaders that failed on 15^th and 16^th June 2011 election hence they create grievance to the new leadership that elected legally.  

Moreover, Ndalo said Shadrack Mbwilo and 8 his fellow complainant have already opened case number 15 of 2011 to the Labor Court and advised to wait for the court decisions.