Browsing by Author "Mchomvu, A. S. T."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Social Security Systems in Tanzania : Phase III: Mutual Aid
    (2002) Mchomvu, A. S. T.; Tungaraza, Felician S. K.; Maghimbi, Sam
    The paper investigates the role of mutual aid in the provision of social protection. Methodological triangulation involving survey interviews, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, documentary reviews and participant observations were used to collect data. Findings show that mutual aid groups of different types have existed in different epochs during periods of peace, prosperity and even during calamities. Some mutual aid groups are organized on gender lines. These differences are also observed at the level of age groups, educational attainment, marital status and religious affiliation. Mutual aid groups in rural areas cover almost all kinds of contingencies while those in urban areas cover specified risks. Although mutual aid groups provide short-term protection against social and economic risks, their capacity for protecting members against long-term risks is impaired. The paper concludes by making suggestions for improving mutual aid groups so that they may provide adequate protection against all risks as well as for removing the inequities inherent in the system.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Social Security Systems in Tanzania: Phase I Overview of Social Security in Tanzania
    (2002) Mchomvu, A. S. T.; Tungaraza, Felician S. K.; Maghimbi, Sam
    The paper starts by examining the concept of social security in Tanzania, showing that there are three key issues in social security which have not been adequately addressed by existing social security schemes and need immediate attention. The paper then examines the nature and forms of social security in Tanzania in a historical perspective. It shows that non-conventional social security instruments hClVefailed to promote equitable economic growth and have been heavily biased in favour of the well-off at the expense of the poor. The effectiveness of traditional and informal social security systems has been impaired by changes that have taken place since the colonial period. Formal social security schemes are riddled with problems. The development of formal social security has been gradual and the introduction of structural acijustment programmes has led to the decline of formal security schemes. In terms of coverage, formal social security schemes cover only 6% of the population and focus on only afew risks.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Social Security Systems in Tanzania: Phase II: Co-operatives and Social Protection
    (2002) Mchomvu, A. S. T.; Tungaraza, Felician S. K.; Maghimbi, Sam
    In the 1950s and 1960s Tanzania had the third largest co-operative movement in the world. These co-operatives provided economic and social protection to members so that poor peasants could sell their crops even in years of bad world market prices. The services provided by co-operatives, like education and trusteeship for peasants who took out loans, collapsed when the government abolished co-operatives in 1976. They were re-introduced in 1982 but, due to their abolition, they had lost capital, personnel and members. The current co-operatives are much weaker than the pre-1976 ones and cannot provide the same kind of protection they once did. Co-operatives have still a great potential for social and economic protection but much change in the government policy on co-operatives is needed.