Over 200 companies to mark CSR Day on May 22

The Guardian; Thursday 7, May 2009
By Immaculate Njalangi

The corporate sector in Tanzania will, for the first time, mark Corporate Social Responsibility Day (CSR) on Monday 22, this year.

Briefing journalists in Dar es Salaam, events coordinator Elly Kimbwereza, urged firms and institution which considered CSR as good business practise not to reduce workforce but rather sacrifice profit margins.

Kimbwereza said that Tanzania faced a number of challenges, among them being unemployment compounded by the ongoing world economic crisis.

He said most companies, when faced with the problems they rushed to reduce the workforce, while CSR emphasised that they should consider reducing profits and maintain staffs.

Kimbwereza said that since 80 per cent of the country’s population depended on agriculture, more CSR activities would be directed on it.

He however added that the CSR day will gather high level delegation from various firms and organisations active in CSR activities.

“CSR requires a commitment to social development principles that provide several advantages to communities to help them avoid negative economic, social and environment impacts,” said Kimbwereza.

He clarified that the day would also champion for corporate citizens to become a sustainable model of excellence in offering corporate social responsibility to communities found in the vicinity of their working stations.

The coordinator of the event, Anthony John, said that more than 200 firms are expected to take part in marking the day.

He said CSR goes beyond donations to projects, development programmes and charities.