PUBLIC servants in Moshi have called upon the Controller and Auditor General (CAG)'s office to probe the salary processing procedure in Moshi Municipal Council, complaining that their earnings have been blocked and some deducted without good reasons.

Speaking to the 'Daily News' on condition of anonymity, some of the public servants said their salaries and those of a number of their colleagues who have gone for further studies have been blocked.

"I joined a certain college in 2006 with permission from my employer but after a few months, my salary was blocked on grounds that I did not fulfil requirements for pursuing further studies," complained one servant.

According to her, the human resource officer told her that the salary could not be released until she completed her studies and returned to work. She, however, claimed that when she came back she was given five months salary instead of 17 months. Another worker said she went to school for two years and reported back this year but is still to get her salary.

When she complained, she was given a month's salary instead of three. "The employer gave me permission to study for three years but a year before completing studies, they blocked my salary. I have complained but there's no response," said another public servant.

Asked for a comment, the Moshi Municipal Director, Ms Bernadetta Kinabo, said she was not aware of the complaints but will follow up the matter. "There are 20 teachers who went for further studies without our permission and we blocked their salaries," the director said.

The Deputy Minister for Regional Administration and Local Government, Mr Aggrey Mwanri, said any employee who wants to go for further studies should adhere to employers' regulations and conditions. The Kilimanjaro Regional Secretary of Tanzania Local Government Workers' Union (TALGWU), Ms Hellen Kobero, said they had received many complaints concerning the deduction of workers' salaries in Moshi Municipality and are working on the matter.

"I do not know where the municipality got the power to block salaries of employees; it is illegal to block employees' salaries," she said.