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Access to social security is internationally acknowledged as a human right, but in fact is one that is far more honoured in its breach than in its enforcement, and is frequently not readily accessible to the most vulnerable in society. The growth of the informal economy, both in developing and developed countries has exposed the weaknesses and shortcomings inherent in the traditional approach to the provision of social security for those who fall outside of the formal economy. Social security has also traditionally been a vehicle to promote social cohesion and solidarity between different sectors of society, yet it is clear that marginalised workers in the informal economy and the poor in general are often excluded from this solidarity (GURN 2005). And for the case of Tanzania, informal sectors employ about 93% of the capable workforce whereas the total labour force is estimated to be more than 16 million (URT 2003) but these people remain uncovered with formal social security schemes, so their life are miserably when it comes to the issue of contingencies. The need of extending social security services to these people is highly encouraged. This study is set out to determine the effectiveness of marketing in social security schemes in Tanzania in speeding up the move of extending coverage of their services to the people of informal sectors. The study was conducted at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), and to workers in the informal sector from Morogoro region. The researcher selected NSSF due to the fact that, NSSF open the door to the people of informal sector earlier than other social security schemes in Tanzania. According to NSSF study report on the extension of social security (2001), it argued that NSSF have many members from the informal sector compared to other social security funds and also easy accessibility of data due to the fact that there are limited bureaucratic tendencies. The sample of 120 respondents was drawn from Morogoro region. This includes staff from NSSF Morogoro office and workers from the informal sector.
Both primary and secondary data were collected to accomplish the study. Primary data was collected using questionnaires. The data obtained in this study was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) through descriptive analysis method. Results were summed up and conclusion made. The findings from this study revealed that, social security schemes have significant role in assisting the government to make its people be able to address social contingencies and natural disasters. Despite its importance, it covers small population of workers and leaving the majority uncovered, especially those from the informal sector. Thus there is a need to increase efforts in extending these services. From the study, the work of extending this services is not an easy task, it needs new look and innovative intervention whereby the approach of synergism and Total Quality Management will be applied so as ensure the strategic flow of information to the people of informal sector to join formal social security schemes |
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