KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Amongi Betty Ongom has lauded the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) for its mass registration drive aimed at expanding social security coverage for paid workers in the country.
Ms Amongi said this during a stakeholder meeting with the Managing Director of Fine Spinners (U) Ltd along with officials from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and other guests convened to commend the NSSF for its efforts in strengthening social protection for every worker.
Minister Amongi in her remarks reiterated that social protection is crucial for achieving national development goals and promoting equity, and providing social security to vulnerable citizens is an essential step towards reducing poverty and improving access to services.
Uganda has a labour force of 16.3 million people, of which 13.9 million are working. Unfortunately, 85% of paid workers in the country are employed in the informal sector, without formal contracts or social security. The NSSF Act, as amended, empowers the Fund to introduce new products to appeal to all segments of the working population, regardless of their income levels.
The Gender and Labour Minister emphasized that all eligible employers must register their employees with the Fund, including the government, registered companies, partnerships, trustees, registered businesses, governing bodies of unincorporated associations, and managers or subcontractors who provide employees for the principal contractor.
Amongi said the Ministry will work closely with the NSSF to ensure seamless implementation of the mass registration drive of both eligible employers and employees.
The NSSF Acting Managing Director Ayota Patrick in his remarks said since the launch of the registration exercise, over 1400 employers have heeded to the call ahead of the May 28 deadline this year.
“Honorable Minister, I am glad to inform you that as of today over 1,468 employers have so far registered with the Fund since we launched the mass registration drive. This drive is a multi-stakeholder initiative by various partners,” Mr Ayota said.
“We have partnerships with most Gov Uganda agencies to ensure that employers regularise their status with NSSF before they do business. Additionally, we are engaging all regulatory agencies to ensure that entities are compliant before licensing,” he added.
The NSSF’s mass registration drive is a significant step towards ensuring social security for all paid workers in Uganda, and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development will continue supporting the Fund in driving this agenda through partnerships with the private sector, regulatory bodies, and other partners across the country.
Employers have been urged to take advantage of the opportunity and register their employees before the 30-day deadline, which commenced on 28th March 2023.
The NSSF Act, as amended, seeks to provide social security for all eligible working Ugandans, including those in the informal sector.
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