NAPSA SIGNS MOU WITH FINLAND AND ILO FOR PARTNERSHIP IN THE EXTENSION OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TO THE INFORMAL SECTOR

The National Pension Scheme Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) of Finland and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for the partnership in the extension of social protection to the informal sector through the SPIREWORKS project. SPIREWORKS, the acronym for “Social Protection to Informal Rural Economy Workers” focuses on extending coverage to informal workers in the agriculture sector.

Mr. Yollard Kachinda, Director General, NAPSA, signed on behalf of the Authority while Mr. Timo Sorsa, Chief Technical Advisor for SPIREWORKS Project and Mr. Alexio Musindo, ILO Director for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique signed on behalf of THL and ILO respecrively.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Joyce Nonde Simukoko, MP, and her counterpart, Minister of Employment of Finland, Mr. Jari Lindstrom witnessed the signing ceremony and called for more innovative solutions tailored to the informal sector in order to capture over 80% of employees who are currently not covered under any form of social security scheme.

Others present were Finish Ambassador to Zambia, Mr Timo Olkonen, PS Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry, Ms. Kayula Siame and other government officials.

The MOU will see the Finish government providing funding to a tune of one million Euros towards the SPIREWORKS project with the resultant effect of getting more informal workers into the social security net.