e-Utatuzi: A Digital Leap in Employment Dispute Management for Businesses in Tanzania.

Mediation and arbitration have emerged as indispensable tools for resolving employment disputes efficiently in Tanzania. Effective employment dispute management is essential for governance, risk mitigation and business continuity.

As a step to modernizing resolution of workplace conflicts, Tanzania’s Commission for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA), has recently launched a digital dispute resolution platform called e-Utatuzi on January 21 2026. An innovation reflecting a broader shift towards technology driven access to justice and an evolution to the employment dispute settlement in Tanzania.

Why e-Utatuzi Matters?

e-Utatuzi is a technology driven dispute resolution platform that enables employers and employees to initiate, manage and track employment dispute online, replacing paper based processes and reducing physical appearances.

This platform directly addresses challenges faced by parties on procedural delays, congestion of physical files, and limited accessibility for parties located far from CMA. Enhancing the delivery of justice but also save time in handling labor dispute cases. It allows users to submit complaints, track case progress, access dispute related services, and receive support for employment disputes.

The system is integrated with key government databases, including the National Identification Authority (NIDA), the Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA), and work permit authorities. Also, provides connectivity with the Labour Division of the High Court, ensuring a seamless transition where a dispute progress beyond the CMA’s jurisdiction.

Implication to parties.

Employment disputes, if poorly managed, can result in operational disruption, reputational damage, and significant financial exposure. e-Utatuzi directly addresses these risks by streamlining dispute resolution and providing a clear, predictable process aligned with modern business needs.

Conclusion

e-Utatuzi makes handling work-related disputes easier and faster by using an online system instead of long court processes. It saves employers time and money, helps problems get resolved quickly, and allows businesses to understand their risks early and make better decisions. The system also improves record-keeping and compliance with labour laws, while encouraging peaceful solutions like mediation that help maintain good working relationships. Overall, e-Utatuzi creates a fairer, clearer, and more business-friendly way of resolving employment disputes in Tanzania, which benefits both employers and investors.