Zimbabwe extends social security to informal workers
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The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) in Zimbabwe is preparing to launch a pilot social security program for workers in the informal economy.
NSSA officials revealed the scheme at the Zimbabwe Tripartite Negotiating Forum Global Summit in Victoria Falls, following extensive research done in partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Currently, approximately 3.1 million people are employed in Zimbabwe, but only around 1.3 million work in the formal sector, leaving a large portion without social security coverage.
NSSA designed the program to address the needs of informal workers, engaging ZimStat to understand their priorities and conducting stakeholder consultations. The scheme will not focus solely on contributions, but will also offer incentives like access to affordable funding and decent workspaces to help informal businesses grow. NSSA believes these incentives will encourage participation and support the development of the informal economy. Mr Shepherd Muperi of NSSA emphasized that social security is a human right, citing international declarations.
He also explained that social security funds can mobilize resources for national development, including infrastructure projects that create employment. The pilot program aims to extend these benefits to a segment of the population currently excluded from formal safety nets.
