Social security scheme to be implemented in integrated way: PM Dahal

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today said the social security scheme would be run as an intensive campaign by integrating it under the integrated concept for receiving the expected returns on the development of economy.

Structures would be created for implementing the scheme in an integrated way for its sustenance and removing dual benefits while making many social security allowance schemes being based on contribution, he said while addressing the inaugural of the social security plan for workers and self-employed people in the informal sector at an event organised here by the Social Security Fund.

"The Fund is an important mechanism of the state for neglected, suppressed and oppressed people of the society. The mechanism has the ability of increasing entire production by making the internal production cycle active. On the other hand, hopes of workers are there in such fund. The scheme helps in the context when workers in the informal sector have to work until their body allows and they have to retire empty-handed from the job."

The constitution cannot be fully implemented until workers' right to social security is implemented, he said.

Stating that Nepali migrant workers have been covered by the social security scheme, he assured of fully implementing the government's campaign to bring all workers under the scheme.

Stating that guaranteeing the rights of workers including social security was a mandatory condition for establishment of socialism-oriented political and economic system as envisaged by the constitution of Nepal, Prime Minister Dahal argued that the social security was not a general concept.

"It would rather create an enabling environment for all citizens to avail education, healthcare services, employment, concession and rewards without discrimination," asserted Dahal.

Pressing for effective implementation of the 'Contribution-based Social Security Act-2074 BS' to make social security sustainable and organized, he pledged to mobilize regulatory agency to oversee implementation of the Act keeping in view that no citizens are deprived of benefits of social security act.

Furthermore, he said efforts would be coordinated for registration of the establishment, renewal, taxation system, participation in procurement process among others to ensure that workers from formal sectors are affiliated with the Fund.

To enhance capacity of the Fund and to maintain its credibility and ownership, he also assured to rope in the government offices' workers working on basis of contract and daily wages in the Fund.

He said that the government was serious towards enforcing the co-contribution of the State for the welfare of workers in informal sector.

Similarly, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Sharat Singh Bhandari articulated readiness of the government to revise and implements various plans unveiled by the Fund for contribute towards poverty reduction and increase attraction of labour force in labour market.

Likewise, Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal suggested that the Fund should prepare to maintain record and manage the statistics of the Fund keeping in view the increasing number of its beneficiaries.

Joint Trade Union Labour Coordination Committee (JTUCC) President Binod Shrestha underscored practical implementation of labour right issues provisioned in the constitution, law and policy.

Present in the event were representatives from employer companies and international labour organizations.

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