An economic analysis of labour productivity in the major ports in Tanzania harbours authority (THA) (1977-1988)

Lukaija, Adelaide A

An economic analysis of labour productivity in the major ports in Tanzania harbours authority (THA) (1977-1988)

Date

1989

Authors

Lukaija, Adelaide A

Publisher

University of Dar es Salaam

Abstract

The economy of Tanzania has been facing many problems. One of them being the deterioration of Labour productivity. Great concern was evidenced in her National Economic Survival Programme (NESP) January 1982 and subsequently in the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) June, 1982. Since ports play a central part in the economic growth of countries whose international trade depends mainly on sea transport, increase in labour productivity would reduce handling cost and hence reduce prices of final goods for consumption. The ports of T.H.A (Tanzania Harbour Authority) are a gateway to the hinterland transport sector. It is therefore important to examine the state of labour productivity in these areas. This study attempts to establish trends of labour productivity in the ports of T.H.A. It also tries to identify the factors influencing labour productivity in these ports. The study specifically examines the effect of equipments, training, containerization, incentives and efficiency in management on labour productivity in the major ports of T.H.A. The methodology adopted is both descriptive and econometric methods using time series data covering a period of 11 years. It is established that labour productivity was rising slowly for the port of Dar es Salaam and Tangs with a marked rise in 1988. At Mtwara port since 1978 it dropped and picked up again in 1987 and 1988. The regression results indicate that containerization and equipments have a positive effect on labour productivity in Dar es Salaam port. While the remaining factors have little bearing on labour productivity. In Mtwara it's only containerization which has a positive effect on labour productivity while other factors have little bearing too. In Tangs containerization has a positive effect on labour productivity while equipments have a negative effect.

Description

Available in print form

Keywords

Harbours, Tanzania, Labour productivity, Tanzania Habours Authority (THA), 1977-88

Citation

Lukaija, A, A (1989) An economic analysis of labour productivity in the major ports in Tanzania harbours authority (THA) (1977-1988), Masters dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Available at (http://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/detail.aspx)