The proposed Older Persons Bill would greatly assist elderly people some of whom are burdened with looking after their grandchildren whose parents would have died of Aids.

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare yesterday discussed the proposed law and said the legislation would go a long way in helping old people.

Zaka West Member of Parliament Cde Mabel Mawere (Zanu-PF), who is chairperson of the 15-member committee, said old people were set to benefit from the Bill as it seeks to provide them with access to free health and social services.

She said imprisoned old people would also be taken care of.

"We hope the proposed law would also benefit old people in jails who are currently being treated as any other prisoner.

"As a committee, we feel those old people must be looked at differently despite their crimes," she said.

Cde Mawere said most people in urban areas no longer look after the elderly in the rural areas because of the economic challenges being experienced in the country.

"It would also be helpful to have a small levy to look after the elderly people to make their lives a bit easy," she said.

The Bill seeks to establish an older persons' fund for the care and protection of the elderly.

It also calls for the provision of grants, cash transfers or vouchers for the upkeep of the elderly as well as seeking to make older people lead independent and dignified lives through the prohibition of physical and other forms of abuse, including by family members.

If passed into law, the Bill would prevent exploitation and discrimination against the elderly.

The Bill is in line with the African Union Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing aimed at improving the lives of all people aged 60 years and above.

Help Age Zimbabwe, a non-profit organisation that works with the elderly in the country, is consulting with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare on the proposed legislation.

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