Frequently Asked Questions

Any worker employed in the four sectors TUICO represents (Industrial, Commercial, Financial Institutions, and Services & Consultancy) can join, whether they work in the public or private sector. This includes workers on contract and casual workers, as long as their workplace falls within one of these sectors. If you are not sure which sector your workplace belongs to, contact your nearest TUICO office.

Submit your details through the Join Us page on this website, or contact your nearest TUICO office. The regional office will contact you to complete your joining formally, which includes filling in Form TUF 15, the official legal form for joining a trade union. Once the form is completed, TUICO notifies your employer that you have joined, and your membership contributions start to be deducted from your salary at the next month-end payment.

Membership contributions are 2% of your basic salary. They are deducted from your salary, starting at the next month-end payment after your joining form has been completed and your employer has been notified.

Yes. TUICO can provide individual services to a new member who needs assistance, even before contributions begin. Collective bargaining is different: under the applicable Tanzanian labour law requirements, a trade union must represent at least 50% plus one of the workers at the workplace to qualify to serve as a bargaining unit.

As a member, you can receive representation at your workplace, support with workplace rights and employment disputes, legal support on labour matters, and access to education and training. Where TUICO meets the applicable 50% plus one representation requirement at your workplace, it can also negotiate a collective bargaining agreement on wages and working conditions. TUICO can also provide individual services to new members who need assistance, even before contributions begin.

You can still join. If there are fewer than 10 TUICO members at your workplace, a branch cannot be formed, but you can be served as an individual member. Members at such a workplace can also have a workplace representative who liaises with the regional office. A branch with its own leadership is formed once there are at least 10 members.

Inform your branch leadership that you are moving. The relevant regional office can coordinate the transfer so that your membership records are updated when you move to another region or to a different workplace within the same region. Contact your branch leadership or regional office for guidance on the applicable procedure.

The Tanzania Union of Industrial and Commercial Workers (TUICO) is a national general trade union representing workers from both public and private sectors across industries, commerce, financial institutions, services, and consultancy. Founded in 1995, TUICO exists to organise, represent, and defend workers' rights, dignity, and socio-economic interests in a rapidly changing world of work.

TUICO organises workers across Tanzania in industry, commerce, financial institutions, services, and consultancy.

TUICO operates through a structured system of branches at workplaces, regional and zonal offices, and national organs. It has 8 zones, 22 regional offices and 3 sub-offices across the country. The national organs include the National Executive Committee, the General Council and the National Congress. A branch is formed where there are at least 10 members.

Yes. TUICO works with national and international labour organisations and development partners. You can see them on the Affiliations page of this website.

Start by contacting your TUICO branch leadership at your workplace. If the matter needs further action, it can be escalated to your TUICO regional office. Inquiries sent through TUICO's digital platforms, including the Send an Inquiry page on this website, will receive a response within five working days, depending on the nature and complexity of the matter.

Yes. Education and capacity building are among TUICO's areas of work. TUICO conducts training for workers and leaders on topics such as collective bargaining and workers' rights. Check the News & Events page for announcements about upcoming activities, or contact your branch leadership or regional office.

You can reach the General Secretary Office at Sharif Shamba Street, Ilala District, Dar es Salaam (P.O. Box 5680, Dar es Salaam), by email at info@tuico.or.tz, or by phone on +255 (0) 222 866 910/960. To find your nearest office, see the Zones and Regions pages under Offices on this website. You can also send a message through the Send an Inquiry page, and we will respond within five working days, depending on the nature and complexity of the matter.

A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is a written agreement negotiated between a trade union and an employer on matters such as wages, working conditions and terms of employment. Where TUICO meets the applicable 50% plus one representation requirement at a workplace, it can serve as the bargaining unit and negotiate a CBA on behalf of the workers it represents.

If an emergency threatens employees' safety or disrupts workplace operations, the employer and employees should agree on how to address the situation, taking into account the interests of both parties. Section 16A of the Employment and Labour Relations Act, as amended, provides for this process. If the parties cannot reach an agreement, either party may refer the dispute to the Commission for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA) for mediation. If you are affected, contact your TUICO branch leadership or regional office for guidance on your rights and the appropriate steps to take.

Under the Employment and Labour Relations Act, ordinary working hours are generally limited to nine hours a day and 45 hours a week. Overtime is work performed beyond ordinary working hours and must be in accordance with an agreement between the employer and employee. Under Section 20(5), an employee must be paid at least one and a half times their basic wage for each overtime hour worked. The Act also limits overtime to 50 hours in any four-week cycle and generally limits total working time to 12 hours a day. If you believe you have not been paid correctly for overtime, contact your TUICO branch leadership or regional office for guidance.

Under Section 29 of the Employment and Labour Relations Act, an employer may only deduct money from an employee's remuneration on legally permitted grounds or where the employee has agreed in writing to a deduction in respect of a debt, subject to the law's conditions. If you notice a deduction you do not understand or believe is unlawful, ask your employer for an explanation and keep your payslips and any relevant records. If the matter remains unresolved, contact your TUICO branch leadership or regional office for guidance.

Under the Employment and Labour Relations Act, an employer must have a valid and fair reason for terminating employment and follow a fair procedure, as provided under Section 38. Depending on the circumstances, you may also be entitled to notice or payment in lieu of notice, outstanding wages, payment for accrued leave, severance pay where applicable, and other payments required by law. If your employment has been terminated and you believe the decision was unfair or your final payments are incorrect, contact your TUICO branch leadership or regional office for guidance.

Sections 15 and 16 of the Employment and Labour Relations Act explain the types of employment contracts and the written particulars an employer must generally provide when employment begins. These particulars include your job description, commencement date, contract duration, place of work, working hours, and remuneration. If you do not understand your contract, ask your employer to explain its terms. If you have not received the required written employment details or are concerned about your contract, contact your TUICO branch leadership or regional office for guidance.