New legislation came into force on October 3rd, regulating and defining new procedures concerning protection against sickness. The main purpose is to improve coverage and control of the benefits, thus responding to the existing social dynamics that demanded for more effective interventions on this branch.Until now, the management of sickness and pension branches lacked the enforcement of supervision mechanisms under the direct control of the manager, which had a negative impact on the system sustainability – and especially of the sickness branch – on the long and medium term.

This situation required measures to reinforce the control on sickness leave, on the situations that cause disability and on other benefits granted under the contributive scheme. Therefore, some changes have been made to the existing legislation in order to regulate the procedures concerning sickness benefit provision, administration and control, the organization and operation of the Disability Committee and internal and external patient evacuations.

Mozambique: MMAS launches campaign against beggary and
street children phenomenon

Since July 12th the Ministry of Women and Social Action (MMAS) in coordination with the Directorate of Women and Social Action and the Delegation of the National Institute of Social Action (INAS) of Maputo City, and other social actors and partners, are carrying out a campaign to reduce beggary and the phenomenon of street children in Maputo. The campaign aims to (i) raise awareness against giving alms, encouraging donations to be given to specialized institutions, (ii) raise awareness among parents and families to protect their children and other vulnerable groups in their family and neighbourhood, (iii) foster solidarity at community level so everyone contributes within their possibilities to help those in need".

About 78 million fliers have been distributed and several activities have been carried out, namely raising awareness door-to-door and in public spaces, among members of advisory boards of the municipal districts of Maputo City, among government officials of Maputo and among those practicing beggary.

Guinea-Bissau: INPS carried out campaign to extend social security

The approach taken by INPS officials was a direct approach on the field, raising awareness among workers and employers to the importance of being enrolled in the Social Security system, explaining the benefits granted to those insured and their families, thus protecting them against sickness, disability, injury, occupational accidents and diseases, death, among others. The campaign highlight will be a workshop to be held in November, organized with the support of the International Labour Organization, gathering representatives of national authorities and of employers and workers associations.

Angola: MAPESS publications on Social Security in the country available on CIPS

The Ministry of Public Administration and Social Security (MAPESS) of Angola made available for CIPS Library three publications on Social Security that explain in detail the Angolan Social Security system, including its operation, type of coverage and scope and major achievements. The publications are: "Segurança Social em Angola – realidades e perspectivas", "Evolução da Protecção Social  Obrigatória - 2005 a 2009" and "Relatório do Plano de Modernização e Desenvolvimento Institucional do INSS, 2005 to 2009".