The Guardian reported that small scale traders in Tanzania have expressed fears that the proposed law on importation of scraps metals which will be tabled in Parliament soon stands to harm them more than improve their lot. As a result, they have advised the government to exercise care in its review.

The proposed law draft, unveiled recently by Industry, Trade and Marketing ministry restricts the business among large scale dealers, in order to control haphazard trading in scrap metal.

Mr Sheikh Saidi one of the agents in scrap metal trade said that the government has the responsibility to ensure any decision it makes does not negatively affect the lives of many people. Mr Saidi said that it is necessary to revise the proposed law because, as it is now, it may cause more harm than good to small scale traders.

Mr Saidi explained that through the business, many people had turned entrepreneurs, in both rural and urban areas, as a way of eradicating poverty.

The scrap metal dealers were responding to a recent statement made in Parliament by Industry, Trade and Marketing minister, Dr Mary Nagu that the government was planning to table a bill which would bar small dealers from doing scrap metal business.