Only 6.5 pct of workforce in pension funds, says SSRA

By Stella Jimmy

Irene Isaka, SSRA Managing Director

While there are a handful of social security funds in the country, only 6.5 percent of the workforce has joined any of them, it has been learned.

Speaking to journalists over the weekend in Dar es Salaam on behalf of Social Security Regulatory Authority Managing Director Irene Isaka, SSRA Public Relations Officer, Sarah Msika reminded the public that employed or self-employed they are entitled to joining social security funds of their choice, according to Article 11(1) of the Constitution and the National Social Security Policy of 2003.

“It is shocking that of the entire population of 44.9 million, only 1.7 million equivalent to 3.5 percent are members of the funds and of the entire working class of 23.7 million people, only 6.5 percent have joined the funds. This indicates that many are at risk of living in poverty in the future,” Isaka observed.

She said the consequences of not enrolling in social security funds do not fall on only one person but the entire family especially children who will be left with no financial assistance when the caretaker retires or grows too old to work or in the event that they pass away.

“SSRA encourages all Tanzanians from 18 to 60 years of age, whether employed or self-employed, to join social security funds for the betterment of their future,” she called.

In the same note, she urged employers to allow their employees to join social security funds of their choice.
SSRA is working on a system that will enable them to track employers who do not register their employees with social security funds in an attempt to evade contributing to their employees’ pensions noting that hotels are the most notorious culprits.  

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN