Contributions according to income categories

24 Cape Verde - A pro-active approach to extending coverage to independent workers In the first phase, the Institute developed a continuous information campaign, using several communication channels including information brochures, TV spots, radio programmes, and advertising in the countrys printed newspapers. In a second phase, the Institute focused on establishing alliances and actions in partnership with independent workers organizations. The joint work with such organizations has been the basis for the pro-active strategy, allowing greater contact with workers, and an opportunity to learn about their particular concerns and needs. To this end, the INPS has been conducting workshops with trade unions, religious organizations, producers organizations, and womens organizations, among others. The organization of such workshops and other community activities involves the direct participation of INPS officials who give information on social insurance to workers. Presentations include topics such as the benefits associated to social insurance, beneficiaries obligations, the procedures of contributions and payments, and the importance of social security in the country, among others. The third phase expects INPS to increasingly consolidate its presence in rural areas of the country, where the majority of independent workers are located. In addition to the direct activities with independent workers, INPS officials have been working with children and youths in education centres across the country‘s different islands. The aim is to show future contributors the benefits of social security, and the important role that this institution plays in national development. According to the INPS, this strategy represents an opportunity for students to encourage their parents to register in social security. Thus, the INPS has abandoned a ―passive strategy‖, in which all initiative rested upon the worker, and adopted an ―active strategy‖, through which the Institute develops close ties with the community and specifically with independent workers organizations, aiming to educate, raise awareness, and promote registration.

5.2.5. Greater proximity of the INPS to independent workers

In order to get closer to independent workers, INPS opened service centres in locations where the flow of independent workers is higher. These centres are characterized by Social Welfare Units and provisional service desks. In these centres, in addition to accessing information on the benefits offered by the INPS, independent workers may register, pay their social contributions, and withdraw benefits, among other services. A factor for success is that all service centres are equipped with an integrated computer system, which allows them to perform about 80 per cent of administrative procedures on site 7 . Furthermore, under the motto: ―INPS mais perto de si‖ ―INPS closer to you‖, the Institution has been assuming a new active position by going directly to where independent workers are, which has contributed to lower implicit registration costs borne by such workers, and therefore lower the contribution rates, among other benefits. The first provisional service desk opened in 2010, in the capitals largest popular market, the market of Sucupira. By 2011, around nine service centres had opened in several cities across the country. 7 The computer system is called: Sistema Integrado de Previdência Social Social Information Integrated System. Innovations in extending social insurance coverage to independent workers 25

5.3. Challenges

The progress achieved by Cape Verde in extending coverage to independent workers has occurred rapidly. However, a significant part of the extension strategy has yet to be implemented. As progress continues, INPS will probably face growing difficulty in increasing the number of contributors due to the fact that independent workers who remain excluded will have their precarious working conditions worsened, which evidently increases the registrations marginal cost. Nevertheless, within the context of sub-Saharan Africa, Cape Verde is an exceptional case in terms of recent innovations and experiences in extending social insurance coverage to independent workers.