The Government of Sierra Leone Through NASSIT in collaboration with the ILO trains members of the technical and steering committee on the extension of coverage to the informal economy
The government of Sierra Leone through the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations have kickstarted a new initiative to extend social protection to the informal sector.
Abuja (ILO News): The government of Sierra Leone through the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations have kickstarted a new initiative to extend social protection to the informal sector. The International Labour Organization trained the technical committee and the steering committee on the processes for the creation of an informal sector scheme that addresses the need of those in the missing middle. This training follows a series of engagements including the development of a concept note, and the inauguration of the steering committee headed by the minister of Labour Mr. Alpha Osman Timboand the inauguration of the technical committee headed by the Director General of NASSIT Mr Fuaad Daboh. The committee were inaugurated on 23rd of June while the training was held on 24th and 26th of June
The overall objective of the training is to equip the technical committee with the technical know how of the process from start to finish. During the trainings members were trained on the Basics of Social Protection, The Social Protection International Standards, The strategies for the extension of coverage to the informal sector.
The representative of the Director of the ILO CO-ABUJA Ms. Chinyere Emeka-Anuna opened the event with a well delivered goodwill statement, she stressed that the training is particularly important as it aims at building the capacity of the committees for the task ahead. She also mentioned that the process is critical to achieving the Africa regional target to achieve a 40% coverage target by the end 2025.
Other speakers at the event include the Sierra Leone Minister of Labour, Mr. Alpha Osman Timbo, who declared the meeting open. And stated that the technical committee has been given a deadline of 31st December 2022 to come up with something tangible. The minister restated that NASSIT must ensure that those appointed to the committee are committed to the activities of the committees, as this process is dear to the government in a critical time the government want to reduce the growing of informal sector in Sierra Leone and social is one of the strategies to ensure. Fuaad, Daboh the Director General of NASSIT stated that the government have been working in silos regarding the coverage of the informal economy. The DG stated that the current scheme is so unattractive to the informal economy. He stressed the need and the organization commitment to make the process a success for all our citizens.
During the training a group exercise was conducted for participants to identify the barriers to coverage and the strategy needed to extend coverage. The group exercise was followed by a plenary session. The following barriers and strategies were identified by the participants. Low and irregular income, multiple taxation of the informal sector, limited contribution capacity, Low level of understanding, low acceptability, Inadequate legal framework, cumbersome registration process. The participants also identified strategies for removing the barriers. This includes Revision of the Legal framework to make the scheme mandatory, simplify administrative procedures, consolidated tax collection system.
With the successful conclusion of the training, the committee will proceed to engage consultant to conduct a diagnostic of the situation of workers in the informal economy, formulate workplans to ensure compliance with December 2022 deadline.
The overall objective of the training is to equip the technical committee with the technical know how of the process from start to finish. During the trainings members were trained on the Basics of Social Protection, The Social Protection International Standards, The strategies for the extension of coverage to the informal sector.
The representative of the Director of the ILO CO-ABUJA Ms. Chinyere Emeka-Anuna opened the event with a well delivered goodwill statement, she stressed that the training is particularly important as it aims at building the capacity of the committees for the task ahead. She also mentioned that the process is critical to achieving the Africa regional target to achieve a 40% coverage target by the end 2025.
Other speakers at the event include the Sierra Leone Minister of Labour, Mr. Alpha Osman Timbo, who declared the meeting open. And stated that the technical committee has been given a deadline of 31st December 2022 to come up with something tangible. The minister restated that NASSIT must ensure that those appointed to the committee are committed to the activities of the committees, as this process is dear to the government in a critical time the government want to reduce the growing of informal sector in Sierra Leone and social is one of the strategies to ensure. Fuaad, Daboh the Director General of NASSIT stated that the government have been working in silos regarding the coverage of the informal economy. The DG stated that the current scheme is so unattractive to the informal economy. He stressed the need and the organization commitment to make the process a success for all our citizens.
During the training a group exercise was conducted for participants to identify the barriers to coverage and the strategy needed to extend coverage. The group exercise was followed by a plenary session. The following barriers and strategies were identified by the participants. Low and irregular income, multiple taxation of the informal sector, limited contribution capacity, Low level of understanding, low acceptability, Inadequate legal framework, cumbersome registration process. The participants also identified strategies for removing the barriers. This includes Revision of the Legal framework to make the scheme mandatory, simplify administrative procedures, consolidated tax collection system.
With the successful conclusion of the training, the committee will proceed to engage consultant to conduct a diagnostic of the situation of workers in the informal economy, formulate workplans to ensure compliance with December 2022 deadline.