Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

Workmen's Compensation (Accidents) Convention, 1925 (No. 17) - United Republic of Tanzania (Ratification: 1962)

Ever since the entry into force of the Convention for the United Republic of Tanzania, the Committee has been drawing the Government’s attention to the need to amend the Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance (WCO) (Chapter 263). The latter provides for payment in the form of a lump sum in the event of death or permanent incapacity resulting from an industrial accident, whereas Article 5 of the Convention only authorizes the conversion of the periodical payments into a lump sum in cases where the competent authority is satisfied that it will be properly utilized. In its last report, the Government once again indicates that the labour law reform is still not completed and states that it will eventually have the effect of replacing the WCO with a new act guaranteeing that in case of industrial accidents resulting in permanent incapacity or death, the victims or their dependants will receive compensation in the form of periodical payments. The Government further indicates that all employers are required to take out industrial accident insurance for their employees but states that there are currently no statistics available as regards the total number of employees and apprentices employed in the country, the amount of the benefits paid and the number of accidents reported.

While taking due note of this information, the Committee observes that, according to sources such as the Social Security Programmes throughout the World 2007 and the National Social Security Fund, the employment injury compensation scheme operating in the country appears to have recently been reformed. It consequently requests the Government to supply with its next report detailed information on the manner in which the changes in the national legislation affect the application of each of the provisions of the Convention. It also hopes that the Government will supply in its next report relevant statistical data on how industrial accident compensation functions in practice.