Shebeen owners, staff urged to register for social security

OGONE TLHAGE WINDHOEK Shebeen owners, their staff and others operating in the informal sector have been urged to register with the Social Security Commission (SSC) in order to benefit from safety nets that will be rolled out soon. Those in the alcohol trade currently find themselves constrained from continuing their business by the state of emergency regulations. Alcohol sales have been banned since 28 March.Gambling establishments, restaurants, clothing stores, gyms and cinemas were also closed temporarily to discourage the convergence of large crowds as a measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Finance ministry technical advisor Penda Ithindi was asked what other measures the ministry would look at to guard the livelihoods of those affected. Filling the void He said several people working in shebeens would have benefited from government's emergency income grant, and in instances where they had not, social safety nets provided by the SSC could potentially fill the income void. “For the bartenders, in terms of the regulations, we said that alcohol is the last thing we need to look at… Of course it affects the income levels or earnings of persons employed there. “For those operators in the informal sector of the economy, whether it is beverages or otherwise, if they are registered with the SSC and are in good standing with the SSC, they will of course benefit from the support programme the SSC will roll out,” he said. Ithindi added that those operators in the informal sector who were registered with the SSC are expected to benefit from a second relief package the commission is looking to launch this month. “By the 15 May the SSC will open the second component of the support programme. They must join the programme; mind you, it extends up to 50% of the wage bill… it's a good programme,” Ithindi said. A total of N$8.1 billion is earmarked to fight the economic and social impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

Shebeen owners, staff urged to register for social security

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-09

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Shebeen owners, staff urged to register for social security

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-09

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