POOR RECORD OF REMITTANCES WORRY NAPSA

MOST Mining contractors register their companies with the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) for the sake of getting jobs or business from the mining companies, but their record of remittance to the authority leaves much to be desired,’’ NAPSA has said.

NAPSA Northern Regional Manager Mushoke Namiluko said the pension scheme authority was engaging mining companies so that they can explain to their respective contractors the importance of both registering with NAPSA and remitting the workers’ contributions.

Mr Namiluko was speaking at Edgar Chagwa Lungu (ECL) Convention Centre of the Garden Court Hotel in Kitwe during the stakeholders’ engagement programme which was attended by major mining companies on the Copperbelt and Northwestern Province.

“NAPSA recognises social security as a basic human right. We all need social protection. At the same time, the authority is cognisant of the numerous challenges that come with Pension Administration. It is for this reason that NAPSA has decided to engage with stakeholders such as mining companies.

“We want to engage mining companies on issues of

Pension administration because most mining contractors register their companies with the NAPSA for the sake of getting jobs or business from the mining companies, but their record of remittance to the authority leaves much to be desired,’’ Mr Namiluko said.

Mr Namiluko said NAPSA was committed to providing sustainable social security to its members and also contribute to national development by being a trusted partner that protects the people’s future and brings pride to the nation in line with the vision and core values.

“To enhance efficiency in its operations and promote compliance among employers, NAPSA has a robust digitalization and automated systems. As NAPSA, in our quest to fulfil the mandate, we will always endeavour to work with all key stakeholders such as employers, employees and the government,’’ he said.

He said NAPSA was created in 2000 by an act of Parliament number 40 of 1996 to administer the National Pension Scheme , saying the authority’s key mandate include registration of members, collection of member collection, prudent investment of the contributions..

“Others include payment of benefits when they fall due. The authority is also mandated by law to enforce compliance by employers to the provisions of the act,’’ he said .