Strategies of extending Social Security Coverage to workers in the Informal Sector

Abstract

The research work was meant to find strategies of extending social security coverage to workers in the informal sector to enable them have protection against economic and social distress. The informal sector alone forms 80.6% of the total number of 9.039,318 economically active populations. Data used for the research work was from both primary and secondary sources. A vital tool that was wed in gathering information from the primary source was the questionnaire. In all, thirty questions were asked and grouped under the following headings.

• General information on the respondent • Savings levels and preferences • Understanding of the SSNIT Pension Scheme

The purposeive sampling procedures and structured questionnaires were used to collect data from a total of 156 respondents. The research revealed that workers in the informal sector do not join the scheme because of lack of knowledge. Most of the workers in the sector have failed to contribute due to unsustainable incomes. It was also revealed that benefits offered under the SSNIT Scheme were inadequate and did not meet workers expectations. Based on the findings, it is recommended that SSNIT enact a double -decker social insurance system that will provide for withdrawable contributions to help workers in this sector expand their business as their immediate need. As a result of the lack of knowledge, the media could also help to market the scheme. Benefits to contributors should be adjusted by SSNIT to bridge the gap between the high and low income earners.