PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has urged drivers employed by the government to uphold confidentiality and discipline at work as they are entrusted with sensitive documents.

Speaking at the opening of the 3rd Government Drivers' Conference in Arusha yesterday, he asked drivers to avoid engaging in conversations when government officials are on the phone, stressing that such behaviour could lead to breaches of discipline and violations of the code of conduct.

“It is unacceptable for a driver to join conversations without knowing whom the official is speaking to on the phone,” he said. “This constitutes a breach of discipline, a lack of ethics and is contrary to driving laws guiding driving and its regulations.”

Majaliwa also highlighted the need for public institutions to support drivers by allowing them to attend professional meetings and ensuring they receive proper compensation.

 He instructed heads of public institutions and organizations to provide drivers with allowances, including per diems and subsistence funds, and to give them advance notice of schedules to facilitate their preparation.

On the issue of delayed contributions to the Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF), Majaliwa announced that the government has decided that all deductions from drivers be sent directly to the Treasury.

He also asked the President’s Office (Public Service Management and Good Governance) to conduct an audit of employees to prevent situations whereby staff are hired but lack assigned duties.

Additionally, Majaliwa tasked Josephine Matiro, Director of Support Services at the Technical and Electrical Engineering Agency (TEMESA) with compiling a list of public institutions that owe money to the agency.

Deputy Minister for Works Godfrey Kasekenya acknowledged the voluntary nature of the drivers' association, which was established in 2013 and affirmed the ministry's commitment to addressing the association’s challenges and ensuring safe transportation for government officials.

Flora Mnyandavile, Chairperson of the Government Drivers’ Association of Tanzania, reported that 1,300 drivers attended the conference, including 1,200 from Tanzania Mainland and 140 from Zanzibar.

She highlighted that the association has 7,241 members, comprising 7,191 men and 50 women. 

Under the new structure introduced in June 2023, 1,006 drivers have been promoted, and there are 1,099 new positions for grade II drivers for 2023/2024.