STAFF WRITER
THE National Social Security Authority (NSSA) says it is forging ahead with an initiative to accommodate the informal sector on the social security coverage base as it seeks to cushion workers while also promoting a sustained and inclusive economic growth.
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) almost 5.2 million people are estimated to be trading in the informal economy in Zimbabwe with 65% being women.
“Recognising that a greater percentage of Zimbabweans particularly those working in the informal economy are currently excluded from social security coverage, we are working on developing an informal sector scheme that considers the needs of players in that sector,” said NSSA acting general manager Charles Shava while virtually addressing journalists yesterday.
“Already we have produced a report on the feasibility of extending coverage to the informal sector working in partnership with the ILO. Now we intend to undertake extensive stakeholder engagement which will culminate into a nationwide informal sector needs assessment survey. It is our hope that the information collected from this survey will enable us to design and cost a sustainable scheme that meets the needs of the informal sector,” he said.
Shava said while his organisation plays a crucial role in alleviating poverty and vulnerability through provision of social security coverage, myths and misconceptions about social security have been their biggest undoing.
“However, due to myths and misconceptions about social security many individuals either fail to realise that social security is their right and hence do not enroll on our schemes or simply do not access their benefits when they become eligible.
“Currently, only about 1.4million Zimbabweans are covered under our social security schemes against an estimated total labour force of 3.913 million according to the Q3-2022 Zimstats labour force presentation,” Shava said.
He further stated that there was a need to raise awareness on the importance of social protection in not only ending poverty in all its forms but in promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
“We remain focused on becoming a world class provider of social security services by 2030 as such we are constantly working on various initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of current members as well as extending social security coverage to currently excluded groups of workers.”
Meanwhile, the NSSA boss said in a bid to cushion pensioners from the inflationary pressures, they have been regularly reviewing pension pay outs levels.
“As part of our mandate we are focused on promoting occupational safety and health in the workplace through teach-ins as well as health and safety assessments. We have also embarked on a number of initiatives aimed at improving the resilience of our pensioners.”
