ILO and Tanzanian Judiciary deepen partnership to strengthen Labour Justice System

Labour Standards

ILO and Tanzanian Judiciary deepen partnership to strengthen Labour Justice System

ILO partnered with Tanzania's Judiciary for a two-day training to boost judicial leadership and advance fair, efficient labour justice.

15 May 2025

Arusha, Tanzania (ILO News) - In a significant step towards strengthening the administration of labour justice, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the Judiciary of the United Republic of Tanzania, convened a two-day Leadership Training for High Court Labour Division Judges and Executives at the Corridor Spring Hotel in Arusha. The event, held under the theme "Enhanced Leadership Skills for Effectiveness and Efficiency in Labour Justice Delivery," aimed to enhance leadership capacity and promote innovation in Tanzania's labour judiciary.

High Court Judges from various regions across Tanzania attending the two-day leadership training on enhancing effectiveness in labour justice delivery.

The training brought together a distinguished group of participants, including senior judges from all regions of the country, government labour commissioners, representatives from the Commission for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA), the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA), and the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE). Also present were technical experts from the ILO's Decent Work Team in Pretoria and training partners from Daima Associates.

Mr. Usekelege Mpula, Director of the Commission for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA), participating in the leadership training on labour justice delivery.

This engagement and support; both technical and financial, by the office marked the culmination of a two-week capacity-strengthening initiative with the country's social dialogue and labour relations institutions, beginning with the training of CMA arbitrators in the first week of May, followed by the capacity development programme for the new members of Labour, Economic and Social Council (LESCO) from 12 to 14 May 2025.

Opening Ceremony and High-Level Participation

The event was officially opened by Hon. Mustapher Mohamedi Siyani, Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, representing the Chief Justice of Tanzania, who served as the Guest of Honour. In his welcome remarks, Hon. Siyani underscored the strategic importance of judicial leadership in promoting fairness, public trust, and operational efficiency in the delivery of labour justice.

"Effective judicial leadership is at the heart of a responsive labour justice system. As we strengthen our skills and reflect on our roles, we are also shaping a judiciary that can uphold rights, resolve disputes, and support national development," he said.

Hon. Mustapher Mohamedi Siyani, Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, representing the Chief Justice during the official opening of the leadership training on labour justice.

Among the high table were esteemed leaders including Hon. Dr. Yose Joseph Mlyambina, High Court Judge Labour Division, who commended the event's relevance and welcomed participants on behalf of the Labour Division. He praised the ILO and Daima Associates for supporting the initiative and called for deeper reflection on how judicial leaders can adapt to a rapidly evolving world of work.

Hon. Dr. Yose Joseph Mlyambina, Judge in Charge of the Labour Division of the High Court of Tanzania, during the leadership training on labour justice delivery.

"This workshop is a space to reflect on how we lead, to learn from one another, and to shape strategies that will empower us to deliver justice with fairness, foresight, and humanity," Hon. Mlyambina noted in his speech.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Caroline Khamati Mugalla, Director of the ILO Country Office for Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, emphasized the training as a critical step in promoting decent work, upholding fundamental rights, and bolstering the rule of law in the workplace.

"Effective adjudication of labour matters is vital not only to the protection of rights at work, but also to ensuring industrial peace, social justice, and sustainable socio-economic development," Ms. Mugalla stated.

The training is part of a broader collaboration between the ILO and Tanzanian judicial institutions aimed at strengthening legal interpretation, consistency, and operational effectiveness across the labour justice system.

Ms. Caroline Khamati Mugalla, ILO Country Director for East Africa, delivering remarks during the leadership training for the Labour Division of the High Court of Tanzania.

A Legacy of Strategic Cooperation

The ILO's engagement with Tanzania's judiciary is not new. In August 2023, the ILO supported the publication and dissemination of the Court of Appeal Labour Case Digest, a vital tool now in use across the High Court Labour Division, the Commission for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA), and Zanzibar's Dispute Handling Unit (DHU). The digests have contributed to improved case management and the harmonization of legal rulings nationwide.

Additionally, in June 2022, the ILO organized a historic training on international labour standards (ILS) for the entire bench of the Court of Appeal, following a direct request by the Chief Justice of Tanzania. This training has already borne fruit: in a landmark July 2022 judgment (St. Joseph Kolping Secondary School vs. Alvera Kashushura), the Court cited ILO Convention No. 158, directly linking global labour standards to national judicial practice.

Global Exposure and Knowledge Sharing

Ms. Mugalla also highlighted the importance of international exposure for judicial officers. The ILO continues to sponsor Tanzanian judges and court staff to attend programmes at the ILO International Training Centre in Turin, Italy. A specialized course tailored for labour court professionals commenced there this week, providing Tanzanian participants with access to comparative jurisprudence and global best practices.

"These international experiences enrich the quality of judgments made at home and build a judiciary that is responsive to the realities of the modern world of work," she noted.

A Training Focused on Leadership and Innovation

This week's training in Arusha focuses on more than legal interpretation. It places a strong emphasis on strategic leadership, judicial coordination, and innovation within the labour court system. The goal is to equip senior court officials not only with technical knowledge but also with the skills necessary to guide institutional development in a rapidly changing labour landscape.

Ms. Mugalla concluded by reaffirming the ILO's commitment to its Tanzanian partners:

"We remain committed to walking this path with you toward a judiciary that is more accessible, more consistent, and more attuned to the challenges and realities faced by today's workers and employers."

A Cornerstone of National Development

As Tanzania continues to pursue its national development and investment goals, a competent and responsive labour judiciary is essential. The ILO views the partnership with the Judiciary as a key pillar in achieving decent work for all and upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and dignity in the world of work.