The General Pensions and Social Security Authority participates in the International Social Security Association Seminar

The participants, representing ten other countries, stressed the vital need to find accepted investment forms for funds generated by social security programs.

Commenting on GPSSA's participation in the seminar, H.E. Abdul Rahman Al Baker, Deputy General Manager of the Authority, said: " The participation of GPSSA in this seminar is in line with its vision to equip its employees with the latest developments in the field of social security in addition to the importance of its contribution in the activities of the ISSA."

Al Baker added: "The GPSSA is continuously seeking to develop the skills of its employees as it strongly believes in the importance of the human factor in the development of any institution. Therefore, the Authority always delegates groups of its employees to training seminars especially those organized by the ISSA as they provide a rich source of updated information and techniques in the field of social security."

The participants discussed in the ten-day seminar investment tendencies in the funds generated by social security institutions, the importance of the use of information technology, and the increase of the number of beneficiaries under social security programs. Discussed also in the seminar were issues related to retirement, retirement due to old age, saving funds, work accidents, work protection, family grants program, health insurance, and insurance againt unemployment.

The seminar covered a wide range of topics focusing on the barriers facing the implementation of social security programs, in particular ways of collecting members' contributions and comprehensive social security coverage. It also discussed the role of the government in funding social security system that differs according to each country, and the role of social security funds in improving performance and providing work opportunities. Additionally, participants focused on legislative and executive obstacles such as investment of social security surplus, inflation and its impact, eluding membership payment, and the absence of credibility in including all the employees under the social security programs.

Also highlighted was the need for consistent sources of funding for retirement programs in the aim of providing the finest services to the members, and the importance to strengthen the research facilities in the field of retirement and social security and all associated activities.

During the concluding sessions of the seminar, participants stressed the importance of implementing modern methods in all administrative activities, in addition to concentrating on the development of the human factor and intensifying research in social security and retirement programs.