The impact of privatisation on employees’ conditions of service in textile mills: the case of textile industries in Dar es Salaam

The study investigated The Impact of Privatization on Employees Conditions of Service in Textile Mills: Case of Textile Industries in Dar es Salaam, the company under study were the Friendship Textiles Company (FTC) and the Namera Group of Industries (T) Limited. The specific objectives of the research were to access the situation of employees working conditions in textile companies. Others were to examine the employees perceptions towards privatization policies in relation to workers conditions of services and lastly was to identify if employees have knowledge about workers rights, institutions, polices and interventions that the government has put in place to protect workers’ rights. The study collected data through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and non participatory observations. Further, other data was obtained through analysis of documents. The research found that the employers operate outside the national and international regulatory frameworks and the situation of the employees was pathetic. A large number of employees disclosed that their health was at risk because of their working environment. Furthermore, the study found that the majority of textile workers were exploited, oppressed and they received low wages and salaries. Apart from low wages many were professional untrained. Although the study found that majority of workers were aware of labour laws and workers’ rights, inadequacy of vocational skills puts them at high risk of continuing to be in pathetic working conditions. In this regard, Tanzania needs to develop its labour market to ensure that the workers are not exploited.