Security Privatisation and Working Conditions in Tanzania: Why Security Companies Employ Elders

Abstract

The unprecedented globalisation process has necessitated socio-economic and political reforms to keep pace with the changing conditions. One major reform undertaken in Tanzania and across many other countries has been the privatisation of security service provision. Consequently, several profit-oriented security companies have sprung up. Studies have focused on the private security industry regulation and working conditions. This paper examines why security companies employ elders and how they use them to suppress demands for improved working conditions and remuneration. Drawing on interviews and focus group discussions, the paper shows that poor working conditions in the private security sector presents several challenges such as labour conflicts and labour turnover. Poor working conditions also results in security guards engaging themselves in criminal acts. In response to these challenges, companies employ elders and use them to easily suppress complaints from young ones over working conditions and remuneration.