Appeal made to Tanzanian hotel workers to report acts of workplace discrimination

By Emmanuel Onyango

12th December 2013

 

 

Lazaro Nyalandu, Deputy Minister for Tourism and Natural Resources

The government has directed Tanzanian workers employed in tourist hotels in the country to immediately report any acts of discrimination shown against them by foreigners while on duty.

The call was made following complaints by Tanzanian workers employed in some tourist hotels, about how foreigners have been discriminating them as though they are not citizens of this country.

Deputy Minister for Tourism and Natural Resources Lazaro Nyalandu issued the directive in Parliament in response to a supplementary question by Magdalena Sakaya (Special Seat, CUF) who wanted to know how far the government has ensured safety of workers in tourist hotels who have been complaining of increased discriminative acts against them.

He has however, directed the victims to report to responsible government organs all discriminative acts at their places of work without fear so that legal action is taken against them.

The minister also warned those who are allegedly exhibiting such attitude towards local hotel attendants to stop, saying it denounces African culture, as the nation does not have pigmentation of any racial discrimination among its citizens.

Earlier, the Chadema legislator wanted to know what plans the government has in place to ensure there are cheap and affordable hotels within the National Parks to accommodate/cater for low income citizens.

Prior to answering the question, the legislator described the types of accommodation within various national parks, noting that they have been categorized in two namely lodges and Campsites.

Responding to legislator’s query, Nyalandu said that the Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa) charges the lowest prices to locals who are in need of accommodation in areas which are owned by the organisation.

Currently, the cost of accommodation in most rest houses within the park is between 20,000/- and 50,000/- depending on the type of rest house, this he said is quite affordable to local Tanzanians who visit the park.

Either he said that, to book for the accommodation in temporary tourist camps for adults is between 5,000/- and 15,000/- depending on the type of the camp.

For children aged between 5 and 16, the cost is between 2,500/- and 7,500/- respectively, while children under 5 years are free and not charged at all.
Meanwhile Tanapa is planning to add some more rest houses in order to add value to Tanzanians who visits the parks. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

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