Social Security Minister pledges to address hurdles in operating SSF effectively

Kathmandu, Nov 26: Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Sharat Singh Bhandari, has said the Ministry has formed a committee to resolve the complications to do with the implementation of the social security plan, and the matter is under study.     

Addressing a programme marking the Seventh Social Security Day here today, he said the Ministry is working to resolve the policy and legal topics impeding in updating the Fund's plans. Minister Bhandari stressed that the Social Security Fund has been bearing the economic responsibility under various social security-related policies related to the lifelong welfare of workers.     

Stating that consultations are being held with the Ministry of Finance for linking the temporary and contract employees in the public service to the Fund, he said the private sector should not dither in linking up its employees with the Fund, pointing to these temporary and contract employees in the government service.     

Health and Population Minister Pradip Paudel said that the Fund's programmes are aimed at covering the economic and social risks of all workers by drawing them in the Fund. He suggested affiliating all workers in the formal sector in the Fund in the coming days.     

He appreciated incorporation of workers in the formal, informal, self-employment and foreign employment sectors into the Social Security Plan and stressed on giving all the facilities to the workers as recommended by the International Labour Organization.     

The Health Minister was of the opinion that the health support programmes that are scattered in the social security and health sector should be integrated and executed through the Health Insurance Board.     

National Planning Commission (NPC) Vice Chairman Shivaraj Adhikari viewed that the contribution-based social security policy has helped cover the risks that might come in the life of workers. Stating that the Fund has been carrying out exemplary works for the benefit of the workers within a short period of time, he suggested integrating other social security-related programmes as well.     

President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) Chandra Prasad Dhakal urged the government to encourage the private sector as it is providing around 85 percent of the employment in the country.     

ILO's Country Director for Nepal, Numan Özcan said the UN agencies will continue to provide assistance for the effective implementation of the social security plan in Nepal.     

President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), Rajesh Kumar Agrawal stressed on the need of mobilizing the fund deposited in the Social Security Fund and other sectors in productive areas.     

Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) president Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal said the payment of 17 percent of the amount deposited in the Fund for various claims proved that social security is necessary for the security of workers.     

President of the Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC), Yogendra Kumar Kunwar called for removing the policy confusions for increasing the participation of workers in the social security.     

President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), Badri KC, stressed on the need of conducting a campaign to incorporate all the workers who are in foreign employment into the Fund.     

The government had launched the contribution-based social security plan on November 27, 2018 and a meeting of the Council of Ministers on November 19, 2018 decided to celebrate the 11th of Mangsir every year as the Social Security Day.     

The Constitution of Nepal has made provision of the right to social security to every citizen. The government has, through the Social Security Fund, already moved ahead the process of bringing all citizens under social security umbrella for the enforcement of the same right.     

Around 1.8 million workers employed in the formal, informal, foreign and self-employment sectors have been enlisted in the Fund so far. One million 797 thousand and 640 workers, including 543 thousand 491 workers in the formal sector, 1 million 253 thousand and 615 people in foreign employment, 307 workers in the informal sector and 227 people in self-employment sector have been registered in the Fund as of Monday (November 25, 2024), Social Security Fund's executive director Kabiraj Adhikari said.     

The Fund has been operating medical treatment, health and maternity, accident and incapacity, dependent family member and old-age security schemes for the workers.     

The Fund has so far reimbursed Rs 11.62 billion for claims under various social security policies to 180 thousand and 922 workers. The Fund has deposits of Rs 68.68 billion.(RSS)