Forced Labour
Prohibition on Forced and Compulsory Labour
The Constitution of Tanzania prohibits all forms of forced labour. The Employment and labour Relations Act, 2004 also prohibits all forms of forced labour. Forced labour includes bonded labour or any work exacted from a person under the threat of a penalty and to which that person has not consented. Any person who procures, demands or imposes forced labour commits an offence.
A person who unlawfully compels others to labour against their will commits an offence. The Child Law prohibits the imposition of forced labour or bonded labour on children. A person who contravenes the provision related to forced labour from the Child Law commits an offence and is, on conviction, liable to a fine of not less than two hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term of six months or to both.
Source: §25(2) of the Constitution of Tanzania; §6 of the Employment and Labour Relations Act 2004, §80 of the Law of the Child Act 2009
Freedom to Change Jobs and Right to Quit
Workers have the right to change jobs after serving due notice on their employer. For more information, please refer to the section on employment security.
Source: §41 of the Employment and Labour Relations Act 2004
Inhumane Working Conditions
Working time may be extended beyond the normal working hours of forty-five hours per week and nine hours a day. However, total hours of work, inclusive of overtime, must not exceed twelve hours a day and 50 hours in a 4-week cycle except in cases of emergency.
For more information on this, please refer to the section on compensation.
Source: § 19 of the Employment and Labour Relations Act 2004
Regulations on Forced Labour
- The Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, 1977 (amended in 2005) / Katiba ya Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, 1977 (imefanyiwa marekebisho mwaka 1995)
- Employment and Labour Relations Act, No. 6 of 2004 / Sheria ya Ajira na Mahusiano Kazini Sehemu ya 6 ya 2004
- The Penal Code, 1945 / Kanuni za adhabu, 1945
- Law of the Child Employment Act, 2009 / Sheria ya Haki za Mtoto, 2009
