Uncovering Employees’ Rights Practices in Tanzania’s Maritime Establishments: A Case of Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI)

Abstract

The paper set out to examine how the execution of employees’ rights practices impact on public organization performance in Tanzania, taking a case of Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI). The main goal of the study was to identify the practices related to employee rights at DMI, focusing on rights related to freedom of association, living wages and observing working hours as per the legal provisions. The study used a qualitative research approach. A purposive sample size of 17 respondents was obtained from a population of 137 among the academic, administrative and technical staff. Data were collected using interview and focus group discussions (FGD) and analysed through content analysis. The study revealed that all the three forms of employee rights-freedom of association, living wages, and working hours-were applied at DMI and that each was supported by a systematized approach that made it easier to pay for overtime and additional work. The study concluded that all employment rights inside an organization revolve around the rights to association, a living salary, and reasonable working hours, and contribute to organization’s performance.