TAZARA workers demand K45 million pensions money

Retirees of Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) in Kapiri Mposhi district have appealed to government to release its budgetary allocation of K45 billion to the company to clear the backlog of unpaid retirement packages to former workers of the company.

The retirees and some widows of the deceased former workers who died without getting their pension benefits made the appeal yesrerday to Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner, Beatrice Sikazwe.

Government provided K45 billion in the 2012 National Budget for payment of pension arrears to former TAZARA workers and for the recapitalization of the railway company.

Speaking on behalf of the retirees and widows of the deceased former workers, Leonisa Mwanza said government needs to move in and pay the former workers because the railway company has failed to do so.[pullquote]We have made efforts to get our money but we have been informed by the two pension institutions where we were contributing that TAZARA never used to remit the deductions for our pensions. We want government to intervene because we have suffered a lot[/pullquote]

Mrs. Mwanza said all the former TAZARA workers who retired in 2002 have not been paid their terminal benefits despite contributing to the Zambia State Insurance Corporation (ZSIC) and the National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA).

“We have made efforts to get our money but we have been informed by the two pension institutions where we were contributing that TAZARA never used to remit the deductions for our pensions. We want government to intervene because we have suffered a lot,” Mrs. Mwanza said.

Mrs. Mwanza said government should release the funds allocated in the 2012 National Budget for the former workers to move on and invest in personal income generating ventures to improve their livelihoods.

She said workers are also faced with challenges in paying utility bills for water and electricity and to send their children to school because of the non-payment of their pension benefits.

“Some former workers have died without getting their money… our children have now become beggars and prostitutes and they cannot go to school and ZESCO and Lukanga Water have disconnected their services from our homes because we cannot pay, we need government to come to our aid,” Mrs. Mwanza said.

And District Commissioner, Beatrice Sikazwe has appealed to the former workers to remain patient because government will soon look into their plight.

Ms. Sikazwe said government provided for K45 billion in the National Budget because it understands the predicament and suffering of the former TAZARA workers and their families.She said government is committed to paying the retirees since the K45 billion intended for that purpose reflects in the Yellow Book,Estimates of Expenditure for the year 1st January 2012 to 31st December, 2012 presented by Finance Minister, Alexander Chikwanda in November last 2011.

“Government realizes the importance of this money and knows how you have suffered but it won’t be long before we pay you your pension benefits, I’m just appealing to you to remain calm so that this issue is dealt with harmoniously,” Ms. Sikazwe said.

Meanwhile, Unionized Workers of TAZARA (WUTAZ) who downed tools over two weeks ago have resumed work.The workers called off the strike after Communications and Transport Minister, Yamfwa Mukanga appealed to them to resume work last week.The workers went on strike to press for payment of their delayed March and April salaries.The workers have since been paid their March salaries.