Social Security Commission (SSC) benefits, including maternity, sick leave, retirement, disability and death benefits, will increase from 1 October, justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel announced on Tuesday.
Maternity benefits will increase from N$15 000 to N$20 000, while sick leave benefits will rise from N$11 250 to N$15 000 for the first 12 months and from N$9 750 to N$13 000 for the final 12 months.
Death, retirement and disability benefits will each increase from N$12 000 to N$15 000.
Speaking at a media briefing on the revision of maternity and sick leave and death fund benefits in Windhoek on Tuesday, Immanuel said the increases are intended to protect the dignity of workers, contribute to their well-being and provide greater income security when they face circumstances such as illness, childbirth, disability or death.
“An expecting mother is not worried about how to meet her household needs for there is a better and reasonable income security. A Namibian worker that falls terminally ill is not worried about the devastating loss of income,” Immanuel said.
SSC contributions are monthly payments shared equally between employers and employees to fund the maternity, sick leave and death fund.
Employees earning a basic salary of N$500, according to SSC acting chief executive Ben Nangombe, contribute N$4 per month, while those earning between N$501 and N$12 000 contribute 0.9% of their basic salary.
Immanuel said the contributions should not be viewed merely as deductions from employees’ salaries but as an investment in the well-being of workers and their families.
“It is a promise that when predictable risks strike, there is social protection,” he said.
He said the scheme also provides support to families who lose breadwinners by helping with funeral arrangements and other related expenses.
“When life changes, the system must be there. That is why we have institutionalised it in a form of social security,” Immanuel said.
SSC deputy chairperson Simson Shilongo at the briefing said the benefits speak to the social security mandate and provide for meaningful social protection.
