Privatization and employment opportunities in Morogoro Municipality

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Date

2006

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Sokoine University of Agriculture

Abstract

A study on privatization and the livelihood of the people was conducted in Morogoro Municipality in Morogoro Region. The general objective of the study was to assess the impact of privatization on employment opportunities in Morogoro Municipality. Specifically to: assess the employment opportunities before and after privatization; assess the categories of employees; assess the living standard of laid off employees; assess the attitude of employees towards privatization. Number of employees, skill, job contracts and income are indicators of employment opportunities, number of meals, housing, clothes and ability to manage education cost and asset ownership were indicators of livelihood. Structured, unstructured questionnaire and direct observation were used to collect data. The total sample size was 105 respondents of which 85 respondents were from industries. Among them there were 4 top managerial officers and another 20 respondents were retrenched employees. The employment opportunities have decreased by 52% therefore null hypothesis was accepted. All top managerial officers were skilled, 53% of other industrial workers were unskilled and 47% were skilled. About 76.5% of employees were temporarily employed. The income of employees ranged between 30 000- 50 000 Tsh per month which was inadequate for livelihood sustenance. Chi Square Test revealed no statistically significant association (p>0.005) between training and salaries per month. The laid off employees were 80% skilled; only 20% unskilled and 55% had an experience of more than ten years. The income of some laid off employees was low and unsustainable and fluctuates compared to earnings from formal sector therefore were not able to sustain their livelihood. The highest meal cost was 5 000 Tsh and the lowest cost was I 500iii Tsh per day and about 75% paid house rent of 5 000- 8 000 Tsh per month which was difficult for them to afford. The employees showed negative attitude towards privatization. The study also revealed other findings such as sabotage, corruption and abusive language. The study concluded that; the employment opportunities have decreased, some factories were closed and some operated under capacity after privatization, new technology introduced was very little; the living standard of laid off employees was affected. The recommendations are; the government is required to monitor and supervise employment opportunity; to review privatization contract documents; to review workers salaries; preparations for the payment of the retrenched.

Description

The Degree of Master of Arts in Rural Development

Keywords

Privatization, Employment opportunities, Employment categories, Laid off employees, Employees towards privatization

Citation