KATHMANDU:  The Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have held discussions on making the Social Security Fund (SSF) of Nepal more effective.

In the discussion between the NCC and ILO’s Country Director for Nepal Numan Özcan held at the Chamber in Kathmandu on Wednesday, was focused on linking the minimum wages of workers with productivity, the NCC said in a statement.

NCC President, Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal, said that the business body would collaborate with ILO on issues such as decent employment, appropriate wages for workers, and the sustainability of the SSF.

“Around 80 per cent of employment in Nepal is generated by the private sector, and the NCC is committed to ensuring the rights of these workers,” he said while pointing out that there are challenges in changing work practices and skill development within Nepal’s labour laws.

The meeting also discussed the development of a tradition where workers adopt flexible working practices.

Likewise, Özcan said that the ILO works by coordinating effectively with both employers and workers. He also highlighted that small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the country’s economy.