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John Murwira and Blessings Chidakwa
The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) is set to launch an Informal Sector Scheme by March this year following successful consultations held countrywide, an official has said.

The scheme is set to be launched on or before March 24 as part of Government’s 100-day plan. Through the new scheme, the informal sector is now expected to enjoy the same benefits – pension, funeral and medical cover – as the formal sector. The medical aid cover is yet to be finalised by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

Addressing a stakeholder’s meeting in Chinhoyi recently, NSSA’s head of client services Mr Solomon Nzuwa said the new scheme had the full backing of the Government.

“The scheme is one of its kind, from 1994, NSSA had only one scheme, which is the mainstream formal scheme that was targeting (the) formal sector,” he said.

“Our studies show that 95 percent of the working class are in the informal sector, hence we decided to come up with a lucrative package for them. In terms of circulation, money is within the informal sector rather than the other group as they are in the majority.”