RYAN CHIGOCHE
Government is set to launch a non-contributory pension scheme for the elderly as it moves to cushion senior citizens, Business Times can report.
The scheme will be undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works, Labour and Social Welfare in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation.
Labour, Public and Social Welfare permanent secretary Simon Masanga said there was need to recognise older people as a significant number of them were abandoned, abused or even neglected by policy makers.
“The Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 agenda makes explicit references to older persons with regards to ending poverty, good health and well-being, as sustainable development cannot be achieved without the conscious and intentional inclusion of the increasing number of old people so there is need to articulate policies and programmes with regard to aging,” Masanga said.
“The overarching policy should be deliberated and further explored in the context of the global trend of ageing population and disability inclusive development.”
Masanga said there was need to protect old people as they were victims of abuse within families.
He said disabilities increase with old age and the ministry conceded that disabled people need to be included and protected too.
The situation of old people in the country has worsened following the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic which caused untold suffering put older people at greater risk of poverty, discrimination and isolation
