January 2025

Survey Shows 36% of Moroccans Without Retirement Plans

A recent survey by market research group Sunergia delves into the realities of retirement in Morocco, showing alarming gaps and persistent inequalities. While retirement became a growing concern for many Moroccans, the findings point to a system that struggles to meet everyone's needs. Access to primary retirement plans According to the survey, 59% of Moroccans benefit from retirement plans provided by their employers, while only 5% secure coverage independently. Informal sector workers and retirees from private companies represent the largest share of those...

Japan to have more part-timers join employee pension program

Japan plans to have a wider range of part-time workers join the kosei nenkin employee pension program by changing some rules, sources have said. Currently, companies with 51 or more employees must have their part-time workers join the kosei nenkin program, which pays benefits on top of those paid under the basic pension program providing universal coverage. The government plans to lower the corporate size threshold to 21 employees in October 2027 and scrap it two years later. The government sees the need to...

Kenya. NSSF commits to reforms including expedited processing of benefits

National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has announced the launch of several new initiatives targeting workers across various sectors of the economy in a bid to improve social security coverage and financial inclusion. The NSSF, which plays a vital role in providing social security to the workforce, said if was impelementing reforms aimed at expanding its coverage, increasing transparency, and promoting financial literacy among contributors. These changes are part of a broader effort to modernize the social security system and make it...

Designing Benefits for Platform Workers

By Jonathan Gruber Designing benefits for the growing platform workforce in the U.S. poses significant challenges. While platform workers need protection against unforeseen shocks, work that is often part time and spread across multiple platforms makes the traditional benefits model untenable. This paper reports the results from a survey of drivers and couriers working with Uber to help understand their benefits preferences. We find that there is a wide diversity across these workers in platform earnings, the share of platform...

Belgium pension protests disrupt transport, schools

The nationwide strike that paralyzed Belgium's transport network on Monday highlighted growing opposition to proposed pension reforms, as labor unions mobilized an estimated 30,000 workers from across multiple sectors. The action brought air and rail services to a standstill and forced numerous schools to close their doors. In the Belgian capital, Brussels airport reported that nearly 50 percent of its flights were grounded after crew, including luggage handlers and security personnel, joined the walkout, and the national railway company NMBS operated...

November 2024

Delhi Govt Re-Launched Senior Citizen Pension Scheme Despite Challenges: Bharadwaj

New Delhi, Nov 25 (IANS) Delhi health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj announced on Monday that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has re-launched the senior citizen pension scheme, despite challenges posed by the Central government. The scheme, offering financial assistance to Delhi residents aged 60 and above, was revived under the leadership of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who had previously launched it but saw it halted during Political setbacks. The re-launched scheme has seen overwhelming interest, with over 10,000 applications on its first day. The...

India. 80,000 more people to get old-age pension in Delhi: Kejriwal

AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said an additional 80,000 people are now eligible for old-age pension in Delhi, raising the total number of such beneficiaries to 5.3 lakh. Kejriwal said at a press conference that the Delhi government is committed to social welfare and highlighted that the decision to pay old-age pension to more people is being implemented following Cabinet approval on Sunday. On Sunday, the Delhi government launched a portal for the elderly to apply for pensions. It has...

October 2024

8.1 Million Ghanaian workers not covered by pension scheme – Prof. Abdallah Mashud

The Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Retirement Research (ACRR), Professor Abdallah Mashud, has disclosed that as of last year, 2023, approximately 8.1 million Ghanaian workers were not covered by any form of pension scheme. Speaking on Joy News’ AM Show on Tuesday, October 28, 2024, with Benjamin Akakpo, the renowned social security expert described the situation as problematic. He was discussing the 2024 pension manifesto of the two major political parties: the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party...

Kenya. Workers in informal sector to receive regulated wages, pension in new govt plan

The government has announced that workers in the informal sector will soon begin saving for their retirement and receive medical coverage through an expanded social protection programme. Speaking on Thursday during the launch of a social protection project funded by China in Nairobi, Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said the new plan, which is set for immediate implementation, is expected to benefit Kenya's 16 million informal-sector workers. This will be done by introducing regulated minimum wages and mandating...

Platform workers: a new era of labour protection in Singapore

The Platform Workers Act coming into effect on 1 January 2025 will be a game-changer in Singapore’s labour landscape.  It marks a significant step towards recognising the unique circumstances of platform workers and providing them with essential protections. As one of the first countries to establish specific safeguards for this growing workforce, Singapore is demonstrating its commitment to adapting labour laws to the evolving digital economy. Understanding Platform Workers and Platform Operators The Act defines “platform workers” as individuals who contract...