Govt raises minimum NSSA pensions by 30%, enacts OSH legislation

TAFADZWA CHINYANGANYA

Government has increased minimum pensions paid by the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) by 30% and enacted new legislation to strengthen workplace safety, in measures aimed at improving workers’ welfare and social protection.

The pension adjustments will see minimum retirement benefits under the Pension and Other Benefits Scheme (POBS) rise by 28.57%, from US$70 to US$90 per month, while minimum pensions under the Accident Prevention and Workers’ Compensation Scheme (APWCS) will increase by 30 percent, from US$100 to US$130.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo announced the changes at a media briefing at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) yesterday, saying the review followed a statutory actuarial evaluation which confirmed the financial health of the social security fund.

The revised benefits will be reflected in the November 13, 2026 payroll and backdated to October 2026.

The POBS scheme caters for about 262,000 beneficiaries, while the workers’ compensation scheme supports approximately 8,000 people recovering from occupational injuries or living with work-related disabilities.

Moyo said the adjustments were intended to improve the capacity of pension benefits to support recipients amid the need to preserve the long-term sustainability of the social security system.

“The adjustments demonstrate government’s recognition of the contributions made by workers towards their productive lives and the importance of ensuring that retirement and social security benefits provide meaningful support and uphold human dignity,” he said.

However, he emphasised the need for prudent management and investment of contributors’ funds to preserve their value and generate sustainable returns.

Beyond the pension increases, government has enacted the Occupational Safety and Health Act No. 7 of 2026, establishing a comprehensive legal framework for preventing workplace injuries, occupational diseases and fatalities.

The legislation gives effect to the constitutional right to fair and safe labour practices and shifts the country’s approach to occupational safety from responding to accidents towards preventing workplace risks.

Moyo said the Act addresses four key areas; institutional coordination, clarification of responsibilities, workplace regulation and oversight, and enforcement and accountability.

It provides for the establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health Department within NSSA, the Medical Bureau of Occupational Diseases and the Zimbabwe Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Council.

The minister said the Occupational Safety and Health Department is already operational.

The law also spells out the responsibilities of employers, workers and other stakeholders across the production and supply chain, including designers, manufacturers, importers, suppliers and distributors.

Employers and other duty-bearers are expected to identify, prevent and manage workplace risks, while provisions on workplace registration, machinery safety and the reporting of occupational accidents and diseases strengthen regulatory oversight.

The Act further empowers inspectors to investigate workplace conditions, issue improvement and prohibition notices and enforce compliance through penalties against offenders.

“The Act therefore represents an important step towards moving from a largely reactive approach to workplace safety towards a stronger culture of prevention, compliance and accountability,” said Moyo.

The legislation comes as Government seeks to strengthen protections for workers across different sectors, with its implementation expected to require cooperation between employers, workers, organised labour, business associations and regulatory institutions.

Moyo said the pension adjustments and new workplace safety legislation were aligned with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2, particularly in promoting social protection, human capital development, decent work and inclusive economic growth.

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