Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Africa, 2009
No statutory benefits are provided.
Special system for public-sector employees only.
No statutory cash benefits are provided.
Some medical services are provided free to the population at government health centers and hospitals.
First law: 1946.
Current laws: 1990 and 2000.
Type of program: Employer-liability system, normally involving insurance with a private carrier.
Employed persons.
Exclusions: Casual workers, self-employed persons, family workers, and armed forces personnel.
Insured person: None.
Self-employed person: Not applicable.
Employer: The total cost is met through the direct provision of benefits or the payment of insurance premiums.
Government: None.
Work injury benefits: There is no minimum qualifying period.
A percentage of the insured's earnings is paid, according to the schedule in law. The benefit is paid after a 3-day waiting period until full recovery or certification of permanent disability.
Permanent disability benefit: If the insured is assessed with a total disability, a lump sum is paid equal to 54 months of the insured's earnings.
Partial disability: A percentage of the full benefit is paid depending on the assessed degree of disability, according to the schedule in law.
Constant-attendance allowance: If the insured requires the constant attendance of others to perform daily functions, a variable lump sum is paid depending on individual circumstances.
The employer pays the cost of reasonable medical expenses for medical, surgical, dental, and hospital treatment; skilled nursing services; medicines; prostheses; mechanical aids; and transportation.
Survivor benefit: A lump sum is paid equal to 42 months of the deceased's monthly earnings minus any disability benefit paid before the date of death.
Eligible dependents are members of the insured's family; a reduced benefit is paid if the survivor was only partially dependent.
Funeral grant: In the absence of a surviving dependent, the cost of the burial is paid by the employer.
Ministry of Labor (http://www.malawi.gov.mw) enforces the law.
Employers may insure work injury liability with private insurance companies.
