Surge in employer enrollment in SSF in Koshi

By Hari Prasad Koirala,Urlabari, May 2: The number of employers enrolling in Social Security Fund (SSF) across Koshi Province has recorded a substantial rise, with a total of 2,193 employer institutions currently affiliated with the scheme.

Notably, 186 new organisations have joined the Fund during the current fiscal year 2024/25 alone.

According to Deepak Raj Bhatta, Chief of the SSF Office in Biratnagar, these employers collectively represent 61,286 employees registered under the scheme. 

Of these, 9,200 individuals have been enrolled during the current fiscal year, reflecting a growing awareness and commitment toward labour welfare and financial protection.

The Fund’s records indicate that among the participating entities are 18 government institutions, 595 educational institutions, 182 cooperatives, and 25 hospitals. 

Nationally, 151 hospitals—both public and private—have been integrated into the SSF system, including 25 from Koshi Province alone. 

Chief Bhatta emphasised the encouraging surge in participation from private schools, noting that 1,658 workers and staff from educational institutions and 2,656 from cooperatives are now covered by the Fund.

To date, the SSF has amassed a total amount of Rs. 79.09 billion, with Rs. 4.7 billion contributed from Koshi Province. Furthermore, Rs. 14.23 billion has already been disbursed in benefits across the country, signaling the Fund’s growing role in providing financial protection and stability to the nation’s workforce.

Chief Bhatta further revealed that the federal government’s directive to mandatorily enroll all categories of workers—including informal and contractual labourers—has contributed to acceleration in employer enrollment. 

The Biratnagar SSF office alone has issued official notifications to 466 institutions urging mandatory compliance.

He added, “Except for Bagmati Province, Koshi has witnessed a fourfold increase in enrollment compared to other provinces.”

Under the SSF model, employers contribute 20 per cent of an employee’s basic salary, while employees deposit 11 per cent ensuring comprehensive coverage for different risks, including retirement pensions, medical care, and occupational hazards.