August 16: The government on Wednesday launched social security scheme for informal sector workers.

Addressing the launch of the social security scheme for workers in the informal sector and self-employed persons organized by the Social Security Fund (SSF), Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the government will integrate the social security structure to eliminate duplication seen in this sector.

Pointing out the need to manage the fund through an integrated manner, Prime Minister Dahal said, "The fund is an important mechanism for the protection of the neglected and oppressed workers of the society."

According to PM Dahal, this mechanism has the ability to increase the overall productivity by activating the internal production cycle. He added that this campaign will help the workers in the informal sector who work as long as they can and return home empty-handed.

He clarified that since the Constitution of Nepal, built on the foundation of the historical struggle for the establishment of an egalitarian and just society, guarantees the right to social security of the working class as a fundamental right, the implementation of the constitution cannot be carried out unless the rights of the workers who have suffered injustice are established and their right to social security is ensured.

The PM added that the government had launched the social security scheme for Nepali migrant workers in foreign countries as part of the campaign to make all the workers join the social security fund.

Under this plan, the government is preparing to gradually make all the laborers in the informal sector, estimated to be more than 4 million, participate in the social security program.

Stating that guaranteeing the rights of workers with social security is an essential condition for the establishment of an egalitarian society and a socialist-oriented political and economic system envisioned by the Constitution of Nepal, Prime Minister Dahal said that social security scheme is not just a general concept, but the creation of an environment where citizens can get education, health, employment, opportunities, concessions and respect without discrimination. He said he would.

Stating that the 'Contribution-Based Social Security Act, 2074' should be implemented effectively to make social security sustainable and orderly, he said that the regulatory bodies will be mobilized for the implementation of the Act to ensure that employers and workers who join the fund are not deprived of the benefits of social security based on contributions.

Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari, Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal, Joint Labor Coordination Committee Chairman Binod Shrestha among others were present during the programme.