TTCL workers urge government to end Celtel contract

A dispute has erupted between Tanzania Telecommunication Company Limited (TTCL) workers and the government over the latter's 25-year shareholding deal with mobile service provider Celtel International.

The workers want the Tanzanian government to cancel or review the deal, claiming it is hampering the company's infrastructure development. As the parent company of Celtel Tanzania, TTCL's direct competitor, Celtel International has no interest in the development of TTCL, said Junus Ndaro, general secretary for the Telecommunications Workers Union of Tanzania.

The workers are also demanding that the Tanzanian government review its contract with Sasktel International Inc.of Canada, which jointly manages TTCL.

The government has been unable to sustain the operations of TTCL on its own, and the company has been in several joint managements due to financial problems that resulted in the retrenchment of 400 employees across the country.

"Foreign managements have failed to run the company and have failed to show commitment to improving the performance of the company. The government should place the company under local management," Ndaro said.

Workers want the Tanzanian government to sell part of it 35-percent share in the company through the stock market to raise TTCL's capital.