| SSRA clarifies pensions law | Send to a friend |
| Thursday, 26 July 2012 22:44 |
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The Citizen Correspondent Dar es Salaam. The withdrawal of benefits from bodies of social security funds has not been scrapped, but suspended for six months, the Social Security Regulatory Authority (SSRA) has said. In a statement issued yesterday it said the benefit has been suspended pending the preparation of regulations which would fit with the new law passed in April this year. The SSRA was forced to issue the clarification following public outcry over information that the new law has outlawed withdrawal of benefits. Many workers are against the move arguing that doing so would amount to dedicating on how their savings should be spent. However, the SSRA statement was not specific on the fate of benefits after completion of the regulations. According to the statement issued by the SSRA communication and awareness unit, restricting members of a social security fund to withdraw all contributions until retirement age aimed at insuring they live comfortably upon retirement. “It is true that laws on social security and the authority were revised. This process involved three key stakeholders: Workers unions, employers and the government,” read part of the statement. It further stated that knowing differences in employment, working environment, employment tenure and importance of members to enjoy social security benefits while employed, the authority is creating pension directives and regulations which aim at increasing members’ benefits. “These directives and regulations will be presented and discussed by the major parties including workers, employers and the government before starting to be used,” it said. The statement explained that following the introduction of the new Act, applications for membership withdrawal have been prohibited for six months until the SSRA provides education to stakeholders. It said the SSRA also dismissed the allegation about the pension commitment directive saying it was not caused by government excuses or social security funds going bankrupt. “The authority would like to inform members and stakeholders that all members’ funds are safe; so stakeholders should be patient as the process of strengthening the funds and membership benefits continues,” it assured members. Some employees in the private sector have reacted harshly to the new legislation that forbids members of any social security fund to withdraw their benefits before attaining the retirement age. The new legislation was passed by the Parliament in April this year. Under Tanzania’s labour laws, one is free to retire at 55, while it becomes mandatory to leave office upon attaining the age of 60. Some workers say the legislation is oppressive and they are quitting in protest, The Citizen has learnt. Reports from Mwanza said yesterday that over 600 from seven major gold mines in the Lake Zone have resigned. Other 4,000 have submitted resignation letters to their employers, disgusted by the newly imposed pensioners’ law, they said. Mine workers, most of them working on contract, have strongly opposed it claiming that it is too oppressive. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
Comments
0
#7
Swithurn Mgaya
2012-07-28 15:02
Our parents who worked
with the East African Community have been suffering demanding for their
benefits. Do the Social funds want to treat us likewise? If the
government wants us to live comfortable after we retire, they should
start with the East African Community poor guys. Actions speak louder
than words; by what the government is doing to these aged people, nobody
in his right senses would trust the government's statements
Quote
0
#6
2012-07-28 14:24
Am fully againest the law coz u can not work in jobs of law salary
untill retirement age and we will alwaays blaim our government for not
being keen especial in salary scales.
Imagine a point somebody being termineted at a young age and he is unable to educate the child because the government is holding the benefits.If the government is running bankrupt it should loock for another way of getting money but not temper with employees money.
Am fully againest the law coz u can not work in jobs of law salary
untill retirement age and we will alwaays blaim our government for not
being keen especial in salary scales.Imagine a point somebody being termineted at a young age and he is unable to educate the child because the government is holding the benefits.If the government is running bankrupt it should loock for another way of getting money but not temper with employees money.
0
#5
2012-07-28 09:39
Does the SSRA
understand the life expectancy of tanzanians? By the way who are the
pension funds to decide over the use of forced saving of an employee?
Suppose there will be full compensation for the value of money by the
time one retires at the age of 60,what is use of that money at that age?
If this employee has suffered for over 50 years,and now is promised to
have a better life after 60 years,what for? This is useless and
uneconomical.
0
#4
2012-07-27 21:34
And you MPS don't just sit there for your pocket interest,advoca te
our rights,with vigour and health,and if you don't show up the power
against this don't come for vote we will teach you lessons
0
#3
2012-07-27 21:30
Be contented with your salary don't ever mess up with employees,suppo se
our employers refuses to send the contribution where will you get
power?we always give you cash you benefit from us and we want also to
get our benefits we worked for,
Please use your commonsense
Please use your commonsense
0
#2
2012-07-27 21:25
I don't think SSRA has
brains,how can you people put some laws on my rights?suppose am
suspended from my work what will you do with my money for all these
years and am no longer part of you?we need those money to enables us to
go to school,what the he'll is this?and with no shame you are extending
for six months waoting for clarification,t hat is stupidity am telling you.
We go to school but we came out empty,you people you are too old enough
We want to have our pension as soon as possible we are nt begging you guys,its my rights and you have no power even authority to stop it,act as an educated person,don't just blow out remember you are just there to represent,and when you are saying something weight first before,as we audience we went to school also.
We go to school but we came out empty,you people you are too old enough
We want to have our pension as soon as possible we are nt begging you guys,its my rights and you have no power even authority to stop it,act as an educated person,don't just blow out remember you are just there to represent,and when you are saying something weight first before,as we audience we went to school also.
+1
#1
2012-07-27 09:32
Please do not
interfere too much with employees rights, for short and fixed term
contracts, withdrawal benefits allows a person to plan on the best use
of his/her money,holding ones money for any reason, only benefits the
Social security Fund, by the age of 55, for a worker below 50 years,in a
country with low salaries coupled with a double digit inflation, the
value of the money after those years will not be the same as today, let
them get their money and invest in real estates for example, the value
of which will appreciate, and by 55 yrs, they will be much better, LET
FREEDOM OF CHOICE PREVAIL!thank you, Nikolas.