PENSION AND OTHER BENEFITS SCHEME (POBS)

Under this scheme the following are covered:

• All employees working in a profession, trade or occupation who are above the age of 16 and who have not attained the age of 65. Under this scheme once an employee attains the age of 65, deduction of contributions in respect of the employee should cease even if he/she continues to work.
• Zimbabwean citizens who are either employed in Zimbabwe, or outside Zimbabwe as a continuation of insurable employment in Zimbabwe.
• Persons who are ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe and are either employed in Zimbabwe, or outside Zimbabwe as a continuation of insurable employment in Zimbabwe.
• Civil servants.
• Membership to the scheme is compulsory regardless of whether the employee is covered by a private scheme.

Workers who are exempted from membership are:

• Non Zimbabwean citizens who are not ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe
• Diplomatic staff who are non–Zimbabwean
• Persons employed as domestic workers

WHO IS COVERED?

ACCIDENT PREVENTION AND WORKERS COMPENSATION SCHEME (APWCS)

All workers formally employed in a profession, trade or occupation who are above the age of 16.

Workers who are exempted are:

• Civil servants

N.B. Employers are required to pay premiums for all employees inclusive of those above the age of 65.

CATEGORIES OF INSURABLE EMPLOYMENT

1. Employment in Zimbabwe under any contract of service, written or implied;
2. Employment in Zimbabwe whether registered or not;
3. Employment within or outside Zimbabwe of a person domiciled or having a place of residence in Zimbabwe, if the contract of service was entered into in Zimbabwe;
4. Employment in the service of Diplomatic or Consular Missions in Zimbabwe;
5. Casual employment; when an employee is employed in any 6 weeks of a 12 week period or receives payment in any one calendar month for at least 18 days of employment with one employer;
6. Employment in co-operatives. This refers to employees and members of the co-operative who are drawing a salary or wage from the co-operative.

WHAT IF I EMPLOY CASUAL WORKERS WHO WORK FOR LESS THAN 18 DAYS IN A MONTH?

1. Accident Prevention and Workers Compensation Scheme (APWCS)
   Once you engage an employee you should ensure he is covered under the scheme, regardless of period of employment, even if it is for a few hours.
2. Pensions and Other Benefits Scheme (POBS)
   Employees contracted for periods for less than 18 days in a month do not contribute to the scheme. However where you have casual workers who work for 5 days or more in a month but the contract runs for several months, the employees are supposed to contribute as they have fixed contracts of employment. The periods worked will be aggregated for one to qualify for a benefit.

HOW ARE WORKERS COVERED?

• Under Accident Prevention and Workers Compensation Insurance Fund (APWC) scheme, workers are covered through the employer registering with NSSA and paying the required premiums for his workers.
• Under Pensions and Other Benefits Scheme (POBS) employees are covered through the registration of the employer and employees, as well as the payment of contributions by both employer and employee for the benefit of the employee to the scheme.

NB: Employers are encouraged to ensure that their workers have national identity cards to ensure successful registration and speedy processing of benefits.