Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve [email protected]
THE National Social Security Authority (NSSA) is on the verge of piloting a social security scheme tailored for Zimbabwe’s informal economy, in a development expected to extend social protection to millions of workers currently outside the formal safety net.
The scheme, which has undergone extensive research and design, will not focus solely on contributions but will also provide incentives aimed at helping informal traders grow their businesses.
These incentives will include access to decent workspaces and affordable funding, among other forms of support.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) Global Summit in Victoria Falls, NSSA Director for Benefits, Actuarial and Schemes Development Mr Shepherd Muperi said the authority had worked with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as its technical partner in developing the programme.
“We are at the verge of almost implementing or piloting a specific, appropriate and suitable social security scheme for workers in the informal economy,” he said.
Mr Muperi said while Zimbabwe had approximately 3,1 million employed people, only about 1,3 million were in the formal economy, leaving more than 60 percent without social security coverage.
He said the proposed scheme had been designed to offer tangible incentives to informal-sector workers while encouraging them to participate in social security programmes.
The approach includes providing decent workspaces and access to affordable funding, which could enable informal traders to expand their businesses while building social security protection.
Mr Muperi also highlighted the role of social security in mobilising domestic resources for national development, in line with the mantra, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.”
The TNF Global Summit, running under the theme “Inclusive Growth, Decent Work, Beneficiation and Investment Promotion,” has attracted more than 300 delegates from over eight countries.
The proposed scheme comes as Zimbabwe’s informal economy continues to play a significant role in employment and livelihoods, while a large proportion of workers remain outside conventional social security arrangements.
