[caption id="attachment_2213" align="aligncenter" width="750"] The member of Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) Board of Trustees, Felix Kagisa (Center) officiating at the Sensitisation Seminar for Employers on the Rights and Obligations of employers and employees, held today (yesterday) in Dar es Salaam, On the Right side is The Director of Operation of WCF Ansilim Peter and on the left side is the member of Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) Board of Trustees Jaicy Kayera.[/caption]

By Benjamin Sawe

Employers have been argued to promptly pay, to Workers Compensation Fund (WCF), contributions of their workers to enable the Fund to adequately and timely provide compensation benefits to effected workers.

Speaking at the opening of a one-day sensitisation seminar to employers, Mr. Felix Kagisa, Board Member of the Fund, reminded employers that, according to the law establishing the fund, it was their responsibility to contribute to the fund for their employees.

Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) was established under article 5 of Workers Compensation Act No. 20 of 2008 charged with the responsibility to provide compensation to workers who suffer occupational injuries, deaths or contract occupational diseases arising out of and in the course of their employment. It also deals with improving working environment to prevent occupational hazards.

[caption id="attachment_2214" align="aligncenter" width="750"] The Director of Operation from Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) Ansilim Peter presenting a Paper during the Sensitisation Seminar for Employers on the Right and Obligations of employers and employee, held today (yesterday) in Dar es Salaam[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2215" align="aligncenter" width="750"] The member of Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) Board of Trustees) Jaicy Kayera stressing a point during the Sensitisation Seminar for Employers on the Right and Responsibility of employers and employee, held today (yesterday) in Dar es Salaam.[/caption]

Mr. Kagisa told seminar participants that, with the country’s new drive for industrialisation, the establishment of the fund was timely as it will see more workers join the sector.

“With more workers expected to join the industrial sector, the fund is very crucial for their survival” Mr. Kagisa said.

He note that the establishment of the fund which started its operation in 1^st of July, 2015, was aimed at addressing challenges faced by previous workers compensation system.

He cited compensation of not more than 180,000/=and 83,000/= to workers with permanent disabilities and to dependents in the incident of death of employee as among those challenges.

[caption id="attachment_2216" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Senior Labour Officer of Temeke Municipality, Zevyanji Silungwe presenting Paper during the Sensitisation Seminar for Employers on the Right and Obligations of employers and employee, held today (yesterday) in Dar es Salaam[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2218" align="aligncenter" width="750"] A cross section of Participants following the Seminar’s presentations during the Sensitisation Seminar for Employers on the Right and Obligations of employers and employee, held today (yesterday) in Dar es Salaam.[/caption]

According to article 2 of Workers Compensation Act of 2008, Mr. Kagisa said all employers and workers in public and private sector in mainland Tanzania is eligible.

The Director of Operations of the Fund, Mr Anselim Peter, told participants that the fund has decided to arrange that sensitisation seminar to employers, as main stakeholders, to educate them on their role and obligations in regular monthly payments of subscription of their employees.

On his part, Mr Jaicy Kayera (Trustee) emphasised that the fund was legally established to offer compensation to workers suffered from injuries, diseases and death while at work.

Workers Compensation Fund is a government institution under the Prime Minister Office and established under article 5 of Workers Compensation Act, Cap 263 as amended December, 2015.