Social security structure,schemes, benefits and attitudes towards informal sector in transition: a case study of informal sector employees in Dar es Salaam

The study earmarked the social security structure, schemes benefits and attitudes towards informal sector (IS) in transition. The driving force behind the study is to find out how social security protection in Tanzania can be extended to informal sector with the intention intention of supplementing government’s effort of transforming the sector into a main source of income and employment. In order to meet the intended objectives, exploratory research design was employed. The approach of gathering data included interview and use of questionnaire. Both qualitative and quantitative data were utilized in this study. The study revealed that there is a substantial unmet demand for social security services in the informal sector, while the current social security structure, schemes and benefits do not encompass informal sector employees' needs. It is recommended that there is an urgent need to establish a separate scheme, which will cater for the IS-employees. Findings show that there are potential members in the IS. Therefore, area based Social Security Schemes are recommended. It is further recommended that in the process of formulating a comprehensive National Social Security Policy (NSSP) and reforms of the current social security structure, social security needs of the IS should be reflected.