Social protection schemes in Mozambique increase covered population over time. As social protection platform advances, it can be a catalyst to reach comprehensive social health protection in Mozambique, as contribution schemes could be shared in the future.
Only 6% of the economically active population of Mozambique pays contributions to the National Institute of Social Security (INSS), according to data released by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Maputo yesterday.
“Despite mandatory contributions, Mozambique continues to live in a reality where more than 90% of the economically active population is not registered with the National Social Security Institute (INSS),” ILO representative Denise Monteiro told a seminar on labour and the challenges of social protection for workers in the informal economy.
Most of the working class in Mozambique is in a situation of extreme vulnerability to social risks, be they illness, unemployment, maternity, disability or old age, she said.
Expanding social security coverage to these workers and guaranteeing the right to social protection to the approximately 12 million Mozambicans of working age not yet covered by the mandatory social security system was “a national priority”, she added.
In pursuit of this goal, participants at yesterday’s seminar suggested that the future benefits of contributing be emphasised in order to boost the registration of workers coming over from the informal economy.
The INSS, which was represented at the meeting, agreed with the ILO’s figures and recommendations.
