WINDHOEK, Namibia – The International Labour Organization (ILO) conducted a technical mission to Namibia from 2 to 6 March, to support the Government’s efforts to strengthen the country’s social protection system, including reforms to the national pension system and the development of protection in the event of unemployment, under the Global Accelerator.
The mission, undertaken at the request of the Social Security Commission (SSC), brought together key stakeholders from government institutions, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and development partners to discuss pathways for advancing Namibia’s social security reforms. The ILO delegation included Mr André Picard, Head of Actuarial Services at ILO HQ, and Ms Jasmina Papa, Social Protection Specialist with the ILO Decent Work Team for Southern and Eastern Africa.
During the week, the ILO engaged with the Social Security Commission, the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Reduction and Social Welfare, and representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations. Discussions focused on progress toward pension reform, options for protection in the event of unemployment, and the broader role of social protection in supporting Namibia’s labour market and economic development.
“These reforms are critical to ensuring that Namibia’s social protection system remains inclusive, sustainable and responsive to the needs of workers and employers,” said Milka Mungunda, Chief Executive Officer of the Social Security Commission of Namibia. “Through collaboration with the ILO and other partners, we are working to strengthen systems that provide greater security and dignity for workers throughout their lives.”
Technical consultations explored possible reform pathways, including the design and financing of the national pension scheme, actuarial and fiscal considerations, institutional arrangements and capacity-strengthening needs. Participants emphasized the importance of social dialogue in shaping reforms that are sustainable and aligned with national development priorities.
The discussions take place at a time when Namibia is advancing reforms aimed at strengthening retirement protection and expanding coverage of social insurance. The Government has directed the Social Security Commission to move forward with preparations for implementing the National Pension Fund, while policy discussions are also underway on establishing mechanisms for unemployment protection to support workers affected by job loss and economic transitions.
The mission also discussed Namibia’s ongoing efforts to align national legislation with international social security standards, including the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102), which provides a framework for comprehensive social protection systems covering nine contingencies such as old-age, unemployment, maternity and health protection which are currently discussed in Namibia
“Strengthening social protection is essential for building resilient economies and societies,” said Jasmina Papa, Social Protection Specialist with the ILO Decent Work Team for Southern and Eastern Africa. “Through the Global Accelerator, the ILO is supporting Namibia to advance reforms grounded on internationally agreed social security standards guarantying that social protection benefits are rights based, adequate, collectively financed and transparently managed enabling progressive realisation of right to social security. ”
The outcomes of the mission will contribute to ongoing policy processes supporting the implementation of pension reform and the development of unemployment protection mechanisms that are among the priorities of Namibia’s Global Accelerator road map. Through continued collaboration with government institutions, social partners and the United Nations system, the ILO will continue supporting Namibia to build a sustainable and inclusive social protection system within a decent work agenda.