ILO’s Presence in Tanzania

Tanzania has been a member of the ILO since 1961, shortly after gaining independence.

It is part of the ILO Country Office for the United Republic of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, based in Dar es Salaam.

Through this office, the ILO works with the government, trade unions, and employers’ organizations to strengthen labour standards, promote decent work, and support socio-economic development.

Key Areas of Work in Tanzania

Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs):

Tanzania implements DWCPs in collaboration with the ILO.

Priorities usually align with the country’s development goals (such as Tanzania’s Vision 2025 and its Five-Year Development Plans).

Focus areas include employment creation, social protection, and strengthening workers’ rights.

Employment Promotion & Youth Empowerment:

ILO supports skills development, entrepreneurship, and vocational training, especially for young people and women.

Initiatives aim to address youth unemployment, which is a major challenge in Tanzania.

Social Protection:

Strengthening social security schemes, including health insurance and pensions.

Efforts to extend protection to workers in the informal economy (a large portion of Tanzania’s workforce).

Labour Standards & Rights:

Support for Tanzania in aligning laws with ILO conventions.

Programs to address child labour, forced labour, and improve occupational safety and health (OSH).

Tripartite Dialogue:

ILO actively engages with:

Government: Ministry of Labour, Youth, Employment, and Persons with Disability.

Employers: Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE).

Workers: Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA).

This ensures balanced decision-making between workers, employers, and the state.

Conventions Ratified by Tanzania

Tanzania has ratified many key ILO conventions, including:

C029 – Forced Labour Convention, 1930

C087 – Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948

C138 – Minimum Age Convention, 1973

C182 – Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999

These demonstrate Tanzania’s commitment to combating child labour, forced labour, and ensuring workers’ rights.

Recent & Ongoing Initiatives

Child Labour: Tanzania has partnered with ILO under the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC). Significant progress has been made, though child labour remains present in agriculture, mining, and domestic work.

Decent Jobs for Youth: ILO collaborates with local institutions to expand opportunities in agribusiness and other growing sectors.

Occupational Safety and Health: Work is being done to strengthen OSH policies, especially in construction, mining, and manufacturing.

Women’s Economic Empowerment: Programs to support women entrepreneurs and ensure gender equality in workplaces.

Challenges ILO is Addressing in Tanzania

High youth unemployment.

Large informal sector (over 80% of workers are in informal employment with limited protections).

Child labour in rural areas.

Limited social protection coverage.

Need for stronger enforcement of labour laws.