INSS staff in Angola trained in simplifying bureaucratic processes
30 INSS employees attended the workshop.
18 October 2024
Between 16 and 18 October, the ILO held a workshop aimed at raising awareness and training the employees of the National Institute of Social Security (INSS) of Angola, with the purpose of identifying and proposing practical solutions to simplify bureaucratic processes and expand inclusion in the social protection system.
This event, which took place within the scope of the National Social Protection Day, is part of the project "Expansion of Social Security to Support the Formalization of the Angolan Economy" (ESSAFE Angola), funded by the European Union, with the main objective of accelerating the transition from the informal economy to the formal economy and expanding the coverage and benefits of contributory social security in the country.
The workshop was attended by 30 INSS employees and its main objective was to stimulate critical thinking and raise awareness among INSS staff about the negative impacts of excessive bureaucracy on the experience of beneficiaries and taxpayers. In addition, training was promoted for the co-creation of administrative solutions aimed at reducing obstacles and facilitating access to social security. During the three days of the event, the "Design Thinking" methodology was used as the main tool to allow participants to reflect on the difficulties faced by the beneficiaries, map critical points and redesign administrative processes in a more efficient and citizen-centered way.
The practical approach was led by Elsa Castro, a social protection specialist at the International Labour Organization (ILO) Office in Luanda, who presented theoretical concepts, facilitated discussions and guided the application of analysis and problem-solving techniques.
The workshop program was structured in such a way as to provide a progressive immersion in the challenges and opportunities associated with bureaucratic simplification. On the first day, participants were introduced to the concepts of bureaucracy and its practical implications, with emphasis on the barriers that hinder access to social security. Then, the working groups were formed to carry out the initial mapping of six critical shifts in the INSS system, including registration of contributors, payment of contributions and request for pensions. These initial activities prepared the ground for more detailed analysis and collective discussions in the following days.
The workshop sought to respond to the fifth product of the project, which seeks to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of government officials, policy makers and social partners to implement reforms in the social protection system. With this, it is intended to expand inclusion, improve administrative efficiency and promote social justice as pillars of national development.
At the end of the event, participants consolidated key insights and outlined priority actions to address the identified inefficiencies, as well as plan for ongoing monitoring of the impacts of the proposed changes.
The holding of this workshop reflects the commitment of the INSS and its partners to continuously improve social protection systems in Angola, addressing the challenges posed by the informal economy and excessive bureaucracy. The empowerment of employees, combined with the adoption of participatory and citizen-centered methodologies, marks a significant step towards building a more inclusive, efficient and sustainable system. The next steps include the implementation of the prioritized recommendations, the evaluation of the results and the expansion of this approach to other sectors of public administration, consolidating a more equitable governance model accessible to all Angolans.
Relevant projects
Project
Expanding Social Security to Support the Formalization of the Angolan Economy (ESSAFE Angola)