Protesters confront DC over rights abuses, poor pay at Chinese firm

Nkupamah media:

Arusha District Commissioner, Fadhili Nkurlu

 Over 100 workers of Chinese construction firm Catic yesterday staged a peaceful demonstration to the office of the Arusha District Commissioner to protest their humiliation and abuse of their rights as well as poor pay.

 

They also demanded to be given permanent work contracts, improved working environment and working gear.

 

They were received by Arusha DC Fadhili Nkurlu who asked them to go back to work as the government was working on their concerns.

 

 Nkurlu admitted that their concerns were genuine and they were entitled to get work contracts as per the country’s labour laws.

 

He also said that the firm was required to pay workers an average of 12,500/- per day as opposed to 5,000/- they were currently being paid.

He urged the workers of the Chinese firm and other companies to lodge their complaints with the right offices to ensure that their demands were resolved before the situation got worse.

 

He, however, assured the public that his office was open for all people with similar concerns before deciding to demonstrate.

 

“My office is open all the time. I urge people to visit my office before deciding to protest against something because demos have their own challenges,” the DC said.

 

Workers later decided to go back to their respective working stations as they wait for the DC to resolve the matter.