TABOA threatens to go on strike

TRANSPORT services for upcountry passengers is bound to be paralyzed, leaving passengers stranded at the main bus stands following threats by Tanzania Bus Owners Association (TABOA) who plans to go on strike at anytime from now. It has been learnt. Sources from within TABOA’s management have said that, the reasons for this is to press for the fulfillment of their long standing problems and demands which have not yet been found a solution by the government despite of their promise made over a year ago. TABOA’s Secretary General, Ernea Mrutu said the executive committee meeting of his association had reached a decision to go on strike if their demands were not yet fulfilled as required. “That is the only solution into getting our problems solved” he said though he declined to disclose the actual date and time when asked. However, he noted that the government has repudiated their requests despite of the several reminders which his association has sent to them in order to see the immediate implementation but to no avail. He further said, the association is shocked by the government’s failure of finding a lasting solution and how sluggish are some of its leaders who seem to be reluctant to make a quick decision on the matters affecting them. However, he said adding that this is a violation of their legal rights accusing the implementers to have turned a blind eye to their most crucial problems hampering their daily operational activities. Such claims he said had been presented in a meeting with other transport agents after the strike in early May 2011 which was amounted by the drivers through their umbrella body – Bus Drivers Association (UWAMATA) of upcountry drivers at Ubungo upcountry bus terminal in Dar es Salaam. He stated that drivers were not given contracts by their employers, forcing them to work all through without knowing their benefits upon termination. Drivers were seeking the support of the government to pin down owners of the buses to pay them accordingly, saying it was not easy for the drivers alone to win the war. This was during the time when Omary Nundu was in tenure of the office in his capacity as a Transport Minister. He said adding that, in the last six hour drivers’ strike were pressurizing for their employment and salary increase to the tune of Sh. 350,000 and other fringe benefits such as Health insurance. According to him, he thought the government would have turned to hear of their grievances as the driver’s strike had opened a momentum of understanding to their most troubled problems but he is dismayed as nothing has been fulfilled at all by the concerned bodies. He listed down the most troubled issues faced by members of his association (Transporters) as there are many check points along upcountry main roads whereby police are inconveniencing their operations. He also mentioned various stations which have been established by district authorities through which the main roads passes, saying that are nuisance as they charge the operators taxes for their district councils. Each station charges differently at a rage of between Sh. 1,000 and Sh. 2,000 per each bus that passes through. Inconveniences encountered by bus operators at various upcountry inspection points which according to him is done without proper legal procedures. There are a number of check points almost in every municipal council and town council through which these buses passes as some are doubtful for they are not officially registered They had written a letter to the office of the Minister responsible for Regional administration and local government Authority for inquiry about the matter but in vain. However, efforts to contact the newly appointed Minister for this ministry for clarification, Hawa Ghasia proved futile. However, an official who preferred anonymity could not say anything as he was not a spokesman of the ministry when contacted. Another trouble is the issue of touts at most bus stands, this he said their presence has been causing a chaotic operation. Citing Ubungo bus terminal for being the most notorious and the government has failed to remove them as per the agreement reached in their last meeting. “The removal of touts in most congested upcountry bus stands such as Ubungo in Dar es Salaam, is not yet accomplished despite of the order issued by the former transport minister, Omary Nundu”. He said claiming that, the situation is not yet fully controlled as they are inconveniencing passengers. He claimed that, the terminal belongs to the government through Kinondoni Municipal council, therefore it’s their duty to make sure that the area is calmed as for them (TABOA) have hired the place and each transporter pays taxes as levies charged at the terminal. Another issue is concerned with the increase of bus fare in order to match with the inconsistent rise of fuels as regularly announced by EWURA. But the government does not want to hear their cries. He noted that, the continued stance of Surface and Marine Authority (SUMATRA) and its failure to release new up country bus fares has pinned down upcountry bus transporters, adding that all these proposals have not yet been implemented. Cornered by the writer of this news to verify the truth about the matter, the Manager Public Affairs of SUMATRA Mr. David Mziray noted that, his organization was currently organizing the reviews sent by DARCOBOA after which they would embark on the upcountry transport agents systematically.