Minister Bhandari calls for a comprehensive social security scheme

Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Sharad Singh Bhandari has emphasized making Social Security Scheme a more comprehensive participatory plan.

At a program organized by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) here today on the inclusion of Nepali migrant workers abroad under the Scheme, Minister Bhandari said that the Scheme should be laborer-friendly.

Stating that the role of NRNA was important to make the scheme a success, Bhandari viewed that the government should take special initiative to bring every Nepali whether obtaining a labor permit or not, under the ambit of law for which he viewed that collaboration with the NRNA would be significant.

"The government will proceed by holding dialogue with the government of the destination countries for the safety of laborers and the dignity of their labor. It's important to explain the benefits of the scheme to all," argued the Minister.

Similarly, the Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Yek Narayan Aryal, urged all to join the Scheme and shared that the process to ink labor agreements with destination countries had started.

Likewise, Kapilmani Gyawali, Executive Director of the Social Security Fund, said that online classes and a 24-hour call center would be operated while the NRNA network and banking channel would be employed to orient the workers.

Dr. Badri KC, Executive Chairperson of the NRNA, expressed his gratitude towards the Fund for launching the Scheme. Calling for some amendments in the scheme, he suggested that the employers should be made to contribute some amount to the Scheme for its success.

Another NRNA President Kul Acharya spoke of the need to launch this movement in every destination country to cover the Scheme for Nepali migrant workers abroad. He pledged cooperation from the NRNA towards this end.

According to him, the NRNA had been enhancing advocacy for the social security scheme since 2011, and with its launch, the dreams of Nepalis migrant workers abroad had been fulfilled.

"It’s the responsibility of the NRNA to make the social security scheme a success," he acknowledged.

Nepal launched a contribution-based Social Security Scheme in 2018 which is funded through the contributions made by workers and employers.

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