HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE
HelpAge
International welcomes pension reform in Zanzibar
Dar es Salaam, 15 April: The first government funded universal pension in East Africa is to be
launched in Zanzibar this Friday (15 April). Older men and women over the age of 70 will receive a monthly non-contributory
pension of Tsh 20,000 ($9), pegged to the cost of an essential basket of goods.
“The universal pension in Zanzibar is
welcome news for East Africa,” said Amleset Tewodros, Country
Director of HelpAge International Tanzania. “It will
help to reduce poverty and inequality among older people on the island,
providing a small but stable income for many who are extremely poor,” she said.
“This pension income will go a long way in improving
the health of older people once the free health care policy is fully and
effectively implemented’’ added Amleset.
There are around 60,000 people aged 60 and over in Zanzibar
today compared with 48,573 in 2005 with many responsible for grandchildren,
including orphans.[1]
Welcoming the decision to launch the
scheme, Mama Ghanima Othman Juma, 67, said the pension would reduce the
suffering of older people. “Many of us do not have any meaningful source of
income and the pension will help us with our day to day needs, including food
and transport to health centres,” she said.
She urged the government to consider
lowering the pension age to 60 and called on the government to ensure that free
healthcare was effectively implemented and older people given priority.
Findings show that the majority of older people
have never been in the formal labour market and therefore do not receive a
pension from the Zanzibar Social Security Fund. They did
not have any other source of income despite
facing a range of health and disability challenges. Although the Zanzibar
health policy states that older people should receive free healthcare, this
policy has not been effectively implemented and thus requires older people to
pay fees when they attend a clinic or hospital.[2]
“In
order to study the impact of the pension on older people and their families, HelpAge International and the Economic and
Social Research Foundation of Tanzania (ESRF) are currently undertaking a
baseline survey of pension recipients,” added Amleset.
Dr Prafulla Mishra, Regional
Director of HelpAge International said, ”The introduction of a universal pension in Zanzibar is a
welcome step towards building a social protection floor in the country, in line
with the ILO’s Recommendation 202.”
ENDS
Media
Contacts: Henry Mazunda|
Communications Officer, HelpAge International Tanzania, Tel +255 22 2774 796,
Mob: +255 685 277 812,+255 743 573 696, Skype:
henry.mazunda
Or
Sarah Gillam, Media Relations Manager, in London on Tel: +44 (0) 20 7148 7623. Mobile: + 44 (0) 7713 567 624 Email: sarah.gillam@helpage.org Skype:
sarah.gillam.hai (HelpAge)
About
HelpAge International
HelpAge International helps older people claim their rights, challenge discrimination and overcome poverty, so that they can lead dignified, secure, active and healthy lives. Our work is strengthened through our global network of like-minded organisations - the only one of its kind in the world.
HelpAge International helps older people claim their rights, challenge discrimination and overcome poverty, so that they can lead dignified, secure, active and healthy lives. Our work is strengthened through our global network of like-minded organisations - the only one of its kind in the world.
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