Martin Endjala
The Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation Utoni Nujoma has appealed to the Social Security Commission (SSC) employees to embrace their duties and deliver services to the masses as mandated in a timely manner.
He said this during the SSC 28th-anniversary celebration last week under the theme “We are because of others’’, where he said that social security is both a human right and a socioeconomic necessity, that the right to social security is recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and many other international instruments.
“I, therefore, appeal to each of you to execute your daily work with the highest dedication, excellence and most importantly, within the expected turnaround times. In the Republic of Namibia social security is rooted in Article 95 of the Namibian Constitution, “Promotion of the Welfare of the People”, said the Minister.
During its anniversary, on its 4th round of awarding deserving projects under the Social Security Commission Development Fund since its establishment in 2011, saw an awarding of five training providers under the training scheme, and 14 employment scheme projects with a combined budget of N$ 20 800,000.
The Minister further noted that during the 110th session of the International Labour Conference convened in Geneva in 2022, it touched on the emphasis that member states must build social protection floors with essential guarantees for health care and basic income security based on the principles of universality and solidarity.
He further stated that establishing social protection floors is a basic but essential contribution towards reducing poverty, empowering people and expanding aggregate demand. “It is a commitment to a decent society, a platform that enables hundreds of Namibian women, men, and children to progress on a sure and steady footing”.
The Minister also announced the launch of the five years Integrated Strategic Plan for the years 2023-2028, thus stressing to the management and SSC staff members that their best efforts to attain strategic objectives spelt in the strategic document will be in vain without their diligence and commitment.
“I can assure you that my Ministry will remain committed to its support to the SSC on its journey to become a leading, trusted, and innovative Social Security service provider in the Southern African region” Utoni asserted.
He is therefore adamant that the Social Security Commission, in pursuit of excellence, must embrace its core values of being customer-centric, innovative, and resilient, and strive to have a high sense of Integrity.
While also assuring that his Ministry shall continue to facilitate periodic reviews of the SSC strategies to ensure that they reflect market conditions, technological changes, and global best practices. “As a ministry, we shall continue involving stakeholders”.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Social Security Commission Board of Commissioners David Uirab said that the Commission as an institution mandated to contribute towards improving the quality of the life in Namibia as envisioned in Vision 2030 and the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP), accepts the challenge to stay ahead of its game and offer demand-driven solutions to some of the defining challenges, such as skills shortage and unemployment.
Thus lamenting that being responsible for the well-being of an organization as this, is no easy task, hence it requires a high level of skill, dedication, concerted effort, and commitment. Not to mention a great amount of one’s personal time. I am sure my fellow current and former Commissioners can attest to that.
Additionally, the Chairperson highlighted that, the Five Years’ Strategic Business Plan for FY2023-2028. Will see the SSC embarking on a journey to become a leading, trusted, and innovative Social Security service provider in the entire Southern African region.
As well as enforcement of standards through compliance monitoring; conducting skills audits and productivity; education of stakeholders and the provision of accurate and timely information derived from its theme.
The overall corporate strategy development process included a global, regional, and national market analysis, a review of internal capabilities and constraints, as well as stakeholder consultation with the government and key players in the Social Protection Sector.
Furthermore, Utoni said that Namibia’s existing social welfare measures have already fulfilled or partially fulfil some of the requirements, such as the Old Age Grant. The implementation of the National Social Protection Policy will go a long way to establishing additional social protection floors.
While indicating that the Commission is currently working on the establishment of two Funds, the National Pension Fund and the Unemployment Insurance Fund, that will also make a significant contribution. “I encourage the Commission to speed up your work on these two sorely needed Funds”.
