Wezi Galera Shaba. University of Livingstonia

Transcription

1 A Paper Presented at a SASPEN &FES International Conference; Birchwood Hotel, Johannesburg. Presented byy Wezi Galera Shaba. University of Livingstonia y Introduction y History and evolution of Social protection in Malawi y Social Protection coverage y Legal and Regulatory framework y The Informal sector y Extension of coverage to the informal sector y Conclusion 1

2 y Different definitions of SP y Few countries with comprehensive SP coverage y SP aims at income redistribution=protect everyone against poverty y SP is a human right (UN) y Coverage very limited, majority in informal not covered y SP stretches to Pre Independent Malawi (before 1964) p y 4 distinct p phases in Independent Malawi y First Phase ( ) y Price decontrols and universal subsidies y Price of inputs/outputs controlled by govt, NOT mkt forces y Very few formal safety nets y Second Phase ( ) y Universal subsidies & price decontrols phased out y Facilitated by SAPs, y Govt dismantled SP system with no replacement y No effective protection for the poor & vulnerable 2

3 y Phase 3 ( ) y Interventions under social dimension of adjustments y Projectised Safety nets introduced y Mkt oriented social programs eg MASAF introduced community based programs to alleviate poverty y Shift in policy corresponded with change in govt y No policy framework for effective coordination of poverty alleviation safety nets y Phase 4 ( ) y Emergence of PWPs, Cash for work, Input transfers, school feeding cash transfers etc feeding, y Financed by govt, development partners, NGOs y Mostly safety nets, hence selective y Inadequate coordination of various SP interventions y Legal coverage y If there are existing legal provisions that cover a certain group of pple e.g above 65 years old state pension y Effective coverage y Actual number of pple benefiting from a given branch of social support (ILO, 2010). y Effective coverage is lower than legal coverage y Both legal and effective coverage are very low in Malawi 3

4 y Legal coverage y No law covering both formal and informal y Those in Formal employment covered by some legislations y Pension Law of 2011 y Some provisions in Employment Act and Workers Compensation Act y Informal no legal coverage y Social Support Policy (2013) provides some guidelines y Effective coverage low in both formal and informal emplo ment are covered co ered y Not all in formal employment y Apart from civil servants, few companies in private sector provide pension to employees. y Eg. By 2010, less than 300 private pension funds y Informal sector y No universal coverage available y Only through means tested schemes for the vulnerable y Errors of inclusion and exclusion are very rife y Examples of programs implemented so far include; y Malawi Free Inputs Program (1998/99 to 2001/02) y Farm Input Subsidy Program y Public Works Programs y Social Cash Transfers Scheme 4

5 Example of SCT Was first introduced in 2005 Still operating on a pilot basis Targets 10% of the ultra poor, incapacitated and labour constrained HH Being implemented in 15 districts (from 2013) Has so far benefitted over individuals One of the new districts to start benefiting from SCT One of the 8 districts that have started implementing SCT in

6 y Need for concerted efforts from civil society including trade unions to increase awareness for SP to become a national issue y Civil society to advocate for abolishment of projectised interventions and call for institutionalisation of a universal basic social protection floor y Political will and prudent use of resources y Extent of social protection coverage in Malawi is still veryy low y No legal framework for a comprehensive social security arrangement y Legal coverage available for the few in the formal sector y Need for a paradigm shift by the govt, pvt sector, civil society and communities to explore ways of making provision of a basic social protection floor universal in Malawi. 6

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