Mayday 2010: Historical event for Tanzania

Read my Blog. The 1st May 2010 will go down the annals of Tanzanian trade unions struggles as the bold show of strength, a daring wave of one people who have a claim to make, a message to send.
The official demonstration organized by the federation of trade unions, TUCTA, comprising a number of independent trade unions, took place at Uhuru Stadium, where such event has been taking place most of times the Mayday celebrations are held in Dar-es-Salaam.
Departing from tradition, though, was fact that the Guest of Honour was the President of TUCTA where in other situation it would be some government figure, likely the President of the United Republic.
There has been a long claim by trade unions, endorsed by their federation, that (i) minimum wage is way too low to support any employee for a month, (ii) PAYE tax on workers was way too high for this meagre salary (iii) uneven pension schemes for different groups of workers was discriminatory, that the government should attend to these issues. TUCTA had given government time to react to these valid claims, short of which an indefinite nationwide strike would ensue. The deadline is looming, and it is quite likely that the strike will take place as scheduled on 5 May. The president, in his recent monthly speech, had called for TUCTA and government to resolve the matter by talks, but as of May 1st, there had not been any joint communique about the agreement reached.
In what appears to be divide and rule, a slice of workers (including two of leading banks) had their own mayday celebration at another venue, Mnazi Mmoja grounds, officiated by the Dar-es-Salaam Regional Commissioner.
It seems these group 2 have things going well, hence bringing into the open the gradient of benefits between private and public sector. It is, however, noteworthy, the private sector came in their multitudes in support of popular TUCTA-led demonstations. This is solidarity.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are those of the author and not for any party or group of persons.