SSC opens office at Luederitz

THE Social Security Commission has paid out N$26,3 million in benefits over the past five months, SSC Chairman Sackey Akweenda said at Luederitz on Friday.

Akweenda was speaking at the opening of the Luederitz satellite office of the SSC. He said about N$20,4 million was paid out by the Maternity Leave, Sick Leave and Death Benefit fund (MSD), while the Employees’ Compensation Fund disbursed more than N$3,3 million.The bulk of the MSD benefits were for maternity leave (52,9 per cent), while sick leave benefits accounted for 15 per cent, disability retirement benefits 13,41 per cent and death benefits 19 per cent.Akweenda said the SSC was seeking ways to implement a National Pension Fund (NPF) and a Development Fund (DF) to provide a wider range of benefits.”Consultations with the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare are continuing to reach a final decision on the implementation of NPF,” he said.According to Akweenda, the SSC has already earmarked N$1 million from its development fund for a youth project.In addition, the commission had approved a N$2 million grant for the National Information and Communications Technology Skills Scheme (NISS) from the Development Fund.However, he noted, the project was still awaiting the approval of President Hifikepunye Pohamba.The Luederitz satellite office, which opened in 2003 as a pilot project, will now handle more functions such as collecting social security contributions.He said about N$20,4 million was paid out by the Maternity Leave, Sick Leave and Death Benefit fund (MSD), while the Employees’ Compensation Fund disbursed more than N$3,3 million.The bulk of the MSD benefits were for maternity leave (52,9 per cent), while sick leave benefits accounted for 15 per cent, disability retirement benefits 13,41 per cent and death benefits 19 per cent.Akweenda said the SSC was seeking ways to implement a National Pension Fund (NPF) and a Development Fund (DF) to provide a wider range of benefits.”Consultations with the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare are continuing to reach a final decision on the implementation of NPF,” he said.According to Akweenda, the SSC has already earmarked N$1 million from its development fund for a youth project.In addition, the commission had approved a N$2 million grant for the National Information and Communications Technology Skills Scheme (NISS) from the Development Fund.However, he noted, the project was still awaiting the approval of President Hifikepunye Pohamba.The Luederitz satellite office, which opened in 2003 as a pilot project, will now handle more functions such as collecting social security contributions.