By Staff Reporter
AT LEAST 53 casual workers who entered into a contract with the Judex Contractors Ltd to dig about 25 kilometers of water pipe trenches in Haneti ward of Chamwino district in Dodoma region are seeking for President Samia Suluhu Hassan support to receive their statutory payments from their employer, total amount 39m/-.
Under the contract, the company pledged to pay them a total of 50m/- as a total payment for the entire work, but has failed to fulfill it obligation as per the entered agreement.
CASUAL WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN CONTRACTED WITH JUDEX CONTRACTORS LTD SLEEPS AT THE OFFICE OF DODOMA REGIONAL COMMISSIONER IN EFFORTS TO LOBBY FOR THEIR PAYMENT
Under the contract for the implementation of the project which is under the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), the employer, Judex Contractors Ltd agreed to pay the said workers in installment system after each five kilometers, at a cost of 1,500/- per one meter upon completion of all involved 25 kilometers.
But on the contrary, the workers have completed to dig-down all 25 kilometers trenches, and the company has only issued 11m/-, and there's no any patriotic sign to dish out the remaining 39m/-, they affected workers alleged.
Expressing their agony yesterday during a special interview with this publication, the workers who thronged at the office of Dodoma Regional Commissioner (RC) to press for their rights, said the deprived situation has put their life into a cross dilemma, as they're currently living without roof for their heads, neither assurance to fill their empty stomach.
CASUAL WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN CONTRACTED WITH JUDEX CONTRACTORS LTD SLEEPS AT THE OFFICE OF DODOMA REGIONAL COMMISSIONER IN EFFORTS TO LOBBY FOR THEIR PAYMENT
"It is very disconcerting, but also unpatriotic for the manner to which the company which has been entrusted by the government to undertake the vital tender is ending up harassing the poor tax-payers like us," said Emmanuel Joseph, a leader of the stranded hapless workers.
He said the so far issued payment of 11m/- which saw each of them scooped at least 85,000/- meant to cater for transport allowance for them to return to their respective regions while awaiting for the remaining payments.
"We failed to depart because despite the amount being poor, we're owes the food vendors who used to feed us on loan basis, and the house owner need his rent in order to let us free," he expressed.
To that end, they asked President Samia Suluhu Hassan to intervene of the saga, alleging that they have so far took several measure to seek for their payment from different government authorities, but with no good avail.
" We have finalised the work since earlier December, 2023 in accord to the contract but our employer is seemingly not keen to pay us," he lamented.
He said most of the workers are coming from far regions from Dodoma, added: "Bad enough, we have been evacuated in the house in which our boss had rented to us due to failure to pay rent, and our home families have greatly been affected with this weak situation, "
An in a long- way -up journey to search for their payment, they said they twice held an audience with Dodoma Regional Commissioner, but the efforts didn't fetched any promising results.
"This is the third time now we come to seek for RC help, when we came for the second time, on November 2023, the company's owner shortly call to tell us not to disturb the RC anymore, said she was finalizing our payments, the promise which she didn't fulfill to date," Joseph explained.
Furthermore, he said they even went to see the Regional manger with the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) over their pathetic situation.
"The manager told us he was not in any position to help, saying the company is obliged to pay us," according to him.
When contacted to comment over the allegations, the company's Managing Director Judith Odunga admitted to have not foot the workers remaining payment.
She itemized a number of technical facts that have 'arm- twisted' her to issue the remaining amount, however saying she was working teeth and nail to settle the dispute.
"It is true, the workers have completed the work as we have agreed but I am encountering some financial constrains to pay them," she said.
Odunga, who is a leader of Tanzania's women contractors detailed that she was currently working several viable efforts to net the money, insisted that the workers will soon receive their rights.
"At first time when they (workers) went to see the RC, the RC asked RUWASA to pay me so that i can foot the outstanding debt," she said.
In response, she detailed that RUWASA said it will only be in position to pay if the company will complete to laydown water pumps in the trenches.
"I have already contacted with some financial institutions to help me getting the required pumps and processes are in good shape, though I am also looking for other sources for getting the money," Odunga assured.
And she added, on December 23, she held fruitful conservation with the workers, whereby she expressed to them over the situation, and they agreed.
"To my surprise, despite agreeing they continue stage a number of lobbying campaigns at the RC office and at the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), pressing harshly for their payments, " she unveiled.
Reflecting to her career status, Odunga said she cannot denying paying the workers, asked them to remain patient as she is working to clear the situation.
As part to pursue for their payment, around 40 workers yesterday slept at the premises of the Dodoma regional office.
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