Written contract
ELRA expects written particulars: job, pay, hours, place of work, and leave. Put them in a contract on day one.
Countries/Tanzania/Hiring guide
Middle East & Africa · Hiring guide · 2026
Hiring in Tanzania: labour law and payroll
This page is the labour-law and payroll stack for multinational employers hiring in mainland Tanzania. It is not a salary survey.
Zanzibar is a separate system. In-country employment is how you run the mainland stack without a Tanzanian company.
To hire without incorporating first, use in-country employment in Tanzania.
Contracts
Contracts and probation
Probation
Probation is recognised. Use it for a defined period with a review, not as a standing 'still on probation' status.
Fixed-term
A genuine fixed term can end on the date. Using repeated short terms to avoid unfair-termination rules is a CMA dispute.
Hours
Working time and overtime
Hours
Ordinary hours are generally 9 hours a day and 45 hours a week unless the contract is more favourable. Rest periods are statutory.
Overtime
Overtime needs agreement and a premium (generally 1.5×, 2× on rest days and public holidays). Annual overtime limits apply.
Leave
Paid annual leave is generally 28 days in a leave cycle, plus public holidays and sick leave under ELRA.
Wage floor
Minimum wage, 2026
Minimum wages are a sector schedule, not one national monthly figure. NSSF, SDL, and WCF are statutory. These are not market salaries.
| Rule | Figure |
|---|---|
| Unspecified-sector minimum (GN 605A) | TZS 175,000 / month from 1 January 2026 |
| Other sectors | Higher floors in listed sectors (finance, communications, mining, etc.) — read the Second Schedule |
| NSSF | 20% of remuneration total; typically 10% employer / 10% employee |
| SDL + WCF | SDL 3.5% if ≥ 10 employees; WCF 0.5% employer-only |
GN 605A of 2025 is the private-sector wage order in force from 1 January 2026. Do not apply a cross-sector average as if it were the legal floor. Mainland rules do not automatically apply in Zanzibar.
Exit
Terminating and offboarding
Fair reason and fair procedure
ELRA unfair-termination rules require both. CMA awards can include compensation of many months' pay.
Notice
Notice depends on the contract and length of service, with statutory minima. Pay in lieu is possible if the contract allows it.
Severance
Statutory severance can apply after a qualifying period of continuous service. Accrue it for longer-stay hires.
Questions
FAQ
- What is the 2026 minimum wage in Tanzania?
- Sector-specific rates under GN 605A from 1 January 2026. Unspecified sectors are TZS 175,000 a month; listed sectors are higher.
- How much is NSSF?
- 20% of remuneration in total. The usual split is 10% employer and 10% employee; the employee share cannot exceed 10%.
- When does SDL apply?
- Skills and development levy at 3.5% of gross cash emoluments for employers with 10 or more employees.
- Does this guide cover Zanzibar?
- No. Treat Zanzibar as a separate labour and social-security jurisdiction.
Other markets
Other hiring guide pages
Reviewed 11 September 2026
This is a hiring briefing for multinational employers, not legal advice. Statutory rates move by city, province, and sector. Confirm the place of work before you issue an offer.
Sources
- Employment and Labour Relations Act (Cap. 366)
- GN 605A of 2025 — private-sector minimum wages from 1 January 2026
- NSSF Act; TRA SDL; WCF contribution rules
Hire in Tanzania
Tell us the city, the role, and whether this is a local contract or a search.