TANGA – Regional Commissioner Dr. Batilda Burian has directed manufacturers in the region to comply with labor laws, including providing formal contracts to employees.

She also emphasized that priority in hiring should be given to qualified local youth and women from the Tanga region.

Dr. Burian issued the directive during a two-day inspection tour, which included a visit to the region’s long-dormant foam factory. 

The factory is preparing to restart production of the iconic Foma powder soap, which was a household name in Tanzania before it disappeared from the market in the early 2000s.

During discussions with factory management, Human Resources Officer Ahmed Mustapha confirmed that production is now scheduled to resume in October of this year, with preparations already underway. 

He noted that the planned April resumption was delayed due to operational setbacks but expressed confidence that all necessary systems will be in place by October. 

The delegation saw about 100 youth engaged in site preparation and infrastructure improvements.

"I am directing the factory management to fulfill all legal employment obligations, including offering permanent contracts, while prioritizing qualified local youth and women from Tanga," she stated.

In addition to the factory, Dr. Burian also toured the Tanga Cement Factory and, on a separate day, visited Anjari Beverage Factory, Tanga Cable Industries Limited, and Asher’s Cosmetics Factory.

The directors of these companies praised the improved investment climate in the region, which they attributed to the pro-investment policies of President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration. 

Hatim Anjari, Director of Anjari Beverages, and Moiz Dossaj, Director of Tanga Cable Industries, both highlighted the availability of reliable electricity and government directives to procure materials from local manufacturers, such as the Rural Energy Agency (REA), as key drivers of their growth.

Jayesh Asher, Director of Asher’s Cosmetics Factory, credited the supportive industrial environment for boosting production and enabling the company to export its products to international markets, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The article concludes by mentioning that the Soap Industry was once a cornerstone of Tanga’s industrial sector, alongside other factories like Gossage, CIC, and Amboni Plastics, which declined due to economic shifts. The current efforts highlight a push to revive the region's industrial past.