Tanzania is about to establish a special trade union which brings on board workers with physical disabilities.
That is among the resolutions reached during the convergence of more than 200 workers with physical disabilities from different public and private entities who met in Dodoma.
They reviewed the draft constitution for the proposed Tanzania Trade Union of Workers with Disabilities (TATUWOD), soon to be registered in the country to cater for the welfare of employees who are physically challenged at workplaces.
Hosted by the Ikupa Trust Fund (ITF), under cooperation from the Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) and the National Microfinance Bank (NMB), the delegates of the consultative general meeting for employees with disabilities worked on inputs for the improvement of the said proposed constitution draft, and its regulations.
The meeting was also graced by the Christian Blind Mission (CBM), KCB Bank and and CRDB Bank Plc.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, Amon Mpanju implored delegates to share useful ideas and experiences in order to come out with the best constitution which will help to free them from all changes they’re encountering.
He pointed out that the quest for the establishment of the trade union was in line with the country’s set laws towards the employees with disabilities, added that the aspiration was also adhering to international laws.
The NMB Chief Human Resource Officer, Emmanuel Akonaay, said the bank will continue to support the concerted efforts to help the people with disabilities in Tanzania to escape from the all shackles of discriminations at working areas.
The Technical Director for the people with disabilities Peter Charles explained that the new development was a result of the likeminded meeting held last year, which among others laid a foundation stone for the establishment of the vital trade union.
He explained that the draft 100 paged constitution as well as the prospectus union regulations, are the two documents undergoing reviews and editing by the members in readiness of official approval by the relevant authorities.
The anticipated Tanzania Trade Union of Workers with Disabilities will play a significant role to help contain the long- standing challenges and numerous plights haunting the group.
The two-day forum attracts the disabled workers from different institutes, including the Tanzania Railway Company (TRC), NMB Bank Plc, National Water Fund, the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco), Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), the Office of the Chief Chemistry, Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) , to mention but a few.