By Pamenus Tuso

The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) has welcomed the increase in the minimum monthly retirement pension under the National Social Security Authority (NSSA)’s pension and other benefits scheme from US$70 to US$90 but says more needs to be done to ensure pensioners live decent and dignified lives.

In an interview, ZDAMWU General Secretary Justice Chinhema said the increase was a welcome development but should be treated as a starting point towards improving retirement benefits rather than an adequate solution to the financial challenges facing pensioners.

He said the rising cost of living continued to make life difficult for many retirees with some struggling to afford basic necessities such as food and medication on their monthly pensions.
“A pensioner should not have to choose between buying food and buying medicine,” he said.

He noted that while the actuarial valuation had confirmed the financial health of NSSA’s schemes and provided a basis for approving the increase, the authority needed to strike a balance between financial sustainability and providing benefits that adequately catered for pensioners’ needs.

He also called for regular and transparent pension reviews based on actual living costs, measures to protect the purchasing power of benefits, affordable healthcare and timely payment of pensions.

Chinhema further stressed that retirement protection should take into account the unique challenges faced by workers in physically demanding industries particularly miners, who are exposed to occupational illnesses, injuries and disabilities that can affect their livelihoods long after leaving employment.

His concerns come against a background of longstanding complaints by Zimbabwean pensioners over inadequate retirement benefits.

Chinhema said workers also expected greater accountability in the management of pension funds, prudent investment of contributions and meaningful participation by workers and pensioners in decisions affecting their retirement security.

He summed up the union’s position by emphasising that retirement should be a period of enjoyment and dignity rather than continued suffering.

“Our position is: Retirement must become genuine mudyandigere, not mudya ndichichema. It should mean enjoying the fruits of one’s labour in dignity and not receiving a pension with tears because it cannot meet basic needs,” he said.

He commended NSSA for the latest increase but urged the authority to develop a clear and sustainable programme of further improvements, adding that workers were not demanding luxury but security, decent living standards and dignity after a lifetime of service.

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