Nssa targets zero workplace accidents

The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities across Zimbabwe, as it intensifies efforts to promote occupational safety and health through its Workers' Compensation Scheme.

Speaking at a press briefing in Harare, NSSA director of social security Shepherd Muperi emphasized the authority's dedication to ensuring safer, healthier, and more dignified working conditions for all Zimbabweans. He said the State insurer envisions a future where zero work-related accidents occur, driven by targeted safety interventions across all sectors of the economy.

"This is one of NSSA's core mandates," Muperi said. "We remain unflinchingly committed to the creation of safer, healthier, and more dignified workplaces for all Zimbabweans."

He described occupational safety and health as a fundamental human right, noting that protecting workers is crucial for sustaining the national economy. "It is not merely a regulatory requirement. It safeguards workers who are the very people who drive the engine of our economy," Muperi added.

According to NSSA research, Zimbabwe loses approximately US$15 million annually due to workplace accidents. Each year, the country records an average of 300 occupational fatalities and 5,000 injuries - figures the authority aims to bring down to zero through preventive measures.

Muperi stressed that investments in workplace safety bring significant economic and social returns. "International studies consistently demonstrate that every dollar invested in workplace safety and health yields a return of over two dollars in positive economic effect," he said. "Safe working environments enhance productivity, reduce absenteeism, and boost worker morale."

As Zimbabwe pursues its Vision 2030 goal of becoming an empowered upper-middle-income society, Muperi warned that industrial growth must not come at the expense of workers' well-being. "Our pursuit of higher productivity must go hand in hand with the health and safety of our workforce," he said.

The Workers' Compensation Scheme, established in 1990, provides insurance cover to workers through employer contributions. The scheme covers income replacement for days lost due to injury, lump-sum payments for minor disabilities, pensions for more severe disabilities, medical expenses, and dependants' benefits in the case of work-related deaths.

"This ensures that workers and their families are cushioned against the financial and emotional consequences of occupational injuries and diseases," Muperi said.

To support recovery and rehabilitation, NSSA also operates the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Centre in Bulawayo. The facility offers a range of services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, vocational training, and psycho-social support, all aimed at restoring independence and improving quality of life for injured workers and persons with disabilities.

NSSA also manages the Pension and Other Benefits Scheme, introduced in 1994, which complements other retirement provisions by offering broader social protection for contributors and their dependants.

As Zimbabwe continues to industrialize and modernize, NSSA's renewed focus on workplace safety signals a broader commitment to ensuring that progress is inclusive, humane, and sustainable.