TANZANIA: SSRA withdraws public notice on benefits

BY DICKSON NG`HILY

The Social Security Regulatory Authority (SSRA) has withdrawn its public notice issued in August this year to various media concerning withdrawal of terminal benefits.

A statement availed to the media in Dodoma said the authority’s decision was in line with the government action to continue to implement a parliamentary resolution passed in its fourth session which among other things discussed social security matters as per the Social Security Laws (Amendments) Act No. 5 of 2012.

In July Members of Parliament expressed their fury on the April amendments to the Social Security Laws (Amendments) Bill, 2012 denying members of various pension funds to claim their contributions until they reach the retirement age.

The amendments by the House in April provide that a member can seek benefits only upon attaining the voluntary retirement at 55, contrary to the previous Act which allowed workers not yet 55 and out of formal employment to apply for withdrawal.

The same Act also allowed members who are below 50, to wait for six months, in view of getting another job, before they are eligible to seek premature withdrawal benefits.

The amendments sparked furore with workers and trade unions when they were passed into law.

After the trade unions came up against the Act, the lawmakers said they had ‘overlooked’ the specific provision.

Seleman Jafo (Kisarawe, CCM) tabling a private motion asked the House to order the government to review the bill.

Labour and Employment minister Gaudensia Kabaka then promised the House that an amendment bill would be tabled in this November meeting.

However, the bill to be tabled in the House is seen to be targeting only members of Parastatal Pension Fund (PPF) skipping those from other funds.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN (31/10/2012): http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=47498