Thaba Tseka, Mar. 09 — The M50.00 increment proposed during the presentation of the 2023/2024 budget will help keep temporary jobs offered to the unemployed by the elderly.
This was stated in an interview with Ms. Ntaoleng Seoe from Bokhoasa in Linakeng community council on Thursday who said since they are unemployed, to cater for their basic needs they do washings and and other menial jobs for the elderly who in turn pay M50.00 and M30.00 for the services respectively.
She said she used to sell them wood but due to her health status, it has become hard to go out and fetch wood hence the jobs that are happening within the village.
She said they were worried that with the price hikes, their temporary jobs will be affected but they are glad that the elderly will still have M50.00 to spare therefore, they are certain their temporary jobs will not be affected.
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Retselisitsoe Matlanyane had proposed an increment of M50.00 this financial year and that brings their take-home to M850.00 per month.
According to the International Labor Office (ILO) Social Protection Department, in a 2012 report Lesotho’s share of elderly people was larger than in other sub-Saharan African countries.
It stated that was attributed to the outmigration of young people and decreased longevity due to HIV/AIDS.
It said with more than a percent of its population above the age of 70, Lesotho has a larger share of older people than many countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
It indicated that the OAP was introduced to lift older persons out of poverty and is the largest regular cash transfer in Lesotho, covering about 83,000 persons which then was 4.5 percent of the population adding that while coverage of eligible persons is approximately 100 percent, it is estimated that many more benefit indirectly.
In 2012 the elderly were receiving M550.00 per month.
