By: Kebba AF Touray
The Gambia’s Vice President, Muhammed B.S Jallow on Tuesday, 12 March, 2024 appeared before the legislature and tabled the bill entitled National Social Protection Bill 2023.
The Bill, as explained by the vice president, seeks to among other issues develop an appropriate legislative framework on social welfare and services which are essential in the provision of social protection services.
Tabling the Bill before the legislators, the Vice President said: “The National Social Protection Bill 2023 among other issues seeks to and (d) provide for the establishment of a social protection fund for social assistance.”
He explained the Government of the Gambia in adopting the National Social Protection Policy (NSPP 2015-2025) has committed itself to the realization of a well-structured social protection mechanism.
He stated that despite these commitments and efforts however, the current legislative framework remains deficient, with notable gaps, hindering the effective implementation of social protection programmes.
He said developing an appropriate and comprehensive legislative framework, with a focus on social assistance, social insurance, labour laws, social welfare services and legal and social equity measures, is essential in ensuring the provision of quality social protection services.
Thus, he said the Bill seeks to provide for the establishment of an agency that will lead the coordination of all activities relating to the administration of social assistance and payment of social grants, and make provision for social assistance and to determine the qualification requirements in respect thereof.
He added: “The bill also seeks to ensure that minimum norms and standards are prescribed for the delivery of social assistance: and provide for the establishment of a social protection fund for social assistance.”
The parliamentarians debated on the Bill, during which they hailed the Vice President for coming up with the Bill which they said is not controversial, as it is pivotal in the delivery of social protection services.
Subsequently, the National Assembly referred the National Social Protection Bill 2023 to the Assembly Business Committee (ABDC) for committal to the relevant committee of the legislature.
The committee to which the Bill would be committed to, would engage relevant actors and stakeholders on the Bill, with the objective to have their views and expertise incorporated in the Bill, and report its findings back to the plenary, to ensure that a befitting National Social Protection Bill is enacted for the citizens.
