By Business Insider Reporter
The Commission for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA) has launched e-Utatuzi, a new online platform aimed at modernising and accelerating the resolution of labour disputes in the country, marking a significant step in the country’s broader push towards digital public services and improved labour market efficiency.
The platform was officially unveiled on January 21, 2026, as part of government efforts to reduce case backlogs, cut costs for employers and workers, and improve transparency within labour justice institutions.
A digital shift in labour justice
Speaking at the launch, CMA Director Usekelege Mpulla said the system was developed in partnership with the e-Government Authority (eGA) and CMA’s internal ICT team, reflecting a whole-of-government approach to digital transformation.
The e-Utatuzi platform consists of five core modules namely user registration, dispute registration, key CMA services, minor disputes handling, and information and guidance services.
Mpulla noted that the system is fully integrated with key government databases, including those of the ministry responsible for work permits, the National Identification Authority (NIDA) and the Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA), enabling faster verification of parties and case details.
“This integration will significantly reduce delays and administrative errors, especially those caused by reliance on physical files,” Mpulla said.
Faster link between CMA and the courts
One of the platform’s most critical features is its direct integration with the High Court of Tanzania, Labour Division, allowing case proceedings and records to be shared digitally and instantly when required.
Previously, congestion and misplacement of physical files often delayed cases referred to the High Court for revision or enforcement of awards. The digital link is expected to shorten dispute resolution timelines, lower litigation costs and enhance institutional accountability.
“We have integrated the system with the court, so proceedings can be accessed immediately when needed,” Mpulla added.
Relief for employers and workers
From a business perspective, the platform is expected to reduce compliance costs and administrative burdens for employers, while offering workers quicker access to justice.
Suzanne Ndomba-Doran, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE), welcomed the initiative, saying it would cut expenses related to travel, paperwork and delays.
She called for full digitisation of the process, including online submission of supporting documents, to maximise efficiency and eliminate residual manual procedures.
Judiciary backs the digital transition
The Judge in Charge of the Labour Division of the High Court, Hon. Dr. Yose Joseph Mlyambina, said the judiciary had already adopted digital systems and experienced tangible benefits.
He cited improved transparency, accessibility, record-keeping and cost efficiency, noting that the loss of physical files had previously forced some disputes to be reheard, increasing costs for litigants and institutions alike.
“The new system will solve a longstanding challenge that has undermined timely access to labour justice,” Dr. Mlyambina said.
Complementing the digital reforms, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Deus Sangu, said the government has approved the recruitment of 116 additional CMA staff to ease workload pressures and improve service delivery.
The staffing boost is expected to enhance the effectiveness of the new system and reduce case backlogs, particularly as demand for labour dispute resolution grows alongside Tanzania’s expanding formal economy.
Broader economic implications
Labour experts say faster and more predictable dispute resolution is critical for investment confidence, particularly in labour-intensive sectors such as manufacturing, construction and services. Efficient labour justice systems help reduce workplace uncertainty, improve industrial relations and support productivity.
The launch of e-Utatuzi places CMA among Tanzania’s growing list of institutions embracing digital governance, aligning with national objectives to modernise public service delivery and support a more efficient, rules-based economy. As the platform rolls out nationwide, its success will likely be measured not only by reduced case timelines, but also by its ability to build trust among workers, employers and investors in Tanzania’s labour dispute resolution framework.
