A two and a half-day Workshop focusing on the theme Business Continuity and Resilience of Social Security Systems during Crisis, opened this morning, in presence of the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, at Le Ravenala Attitude, Turtle Bay in Balaclava.
In her address, Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo, highlighted that the International Social Security Association (ISSA) is an important partner to the Mauritian Government for almost 44 years. She observed that the ISSA has enabled the country to develop and strengthen its social security programmes and systems. “Our social security systems have been continuously put to test in the face of challenges such as economic downturns, natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic”, she stated, thus underlining the resilience of our systems.
She emphasised that it is imperative for our social security systems to stand strong and unwavering in times of crisis and to ensure business continuity for the welfare of the population. Government, she stated, has created a system that is built on inclusion and the principle of leaving no one behind. Around 45% of the national budget, she observed, is allocated for the provision of free healthcare, free education, free transport for students and the elderly and social protection.
The Social Security Minister remarked that some 2.3 billion USD is disbursed to provide for social protection adding that 80% of the amount is used for payment of pensions and social aids. “Our strong, robust, and resilient social security systems have been instrumental in absorbing the shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic”, she stressed, adding that the Government had to intervene and take a series of relief measures to the population. They include: Wage Assistance Scheme; Self-Employed Assistance Scheme; Payment of basic pension at domicile; and Anti-Influenza vaccination for the elderly by mobile caravan teams, amongst others.
Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo is confident that the Workshop will enable the participants to share their knowledge and best practices as well as improve institutional resilience and readiness to address crises and incidences.
The Workshop is an initiative of the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity and the International Social Security Association (ISSA). The ISSA was founded in 1927 under the auspices of the International Labour Organization, and has 320 member institutions from over 160 countries. It promotes excellence in social security administration through professional guidelines, expert knowledge, services and support to enable its members to develop dynamic social security systems and policy throughout the world.
Government Information Service, Prime Minister’s Office, Level 6, New Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius. Email: gis@govmu.org Website: https://gis.govmu.org Mobile App: Search Gov