Migrant workers being included in social security scheme

March 22, Kathmandu: The social security scheme of the country is including Nepali migrant workers and self-employed individuals working in foreign countries from Wednesday onward.

In the presence of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, the Social Security Fund is hosting a programme on Wednesday to initiate the task of including migrant workers in the contribution-based social security scheme.

Fund Spokesperson Bibek Panthi informed that the Fund was extending its coverage to migrant workers in foreign employment.

Tens of thousands of Nepali migrant workers would reap benefits from the scheme once it comes into effect today (Wednesday), he said.

In this connection, Fund had already approved procedural guidelines to enrol migrant workers, informal sector employees and self-employed persons in the social security scheme.

Trade union organizations have long been demanding the inclusion of informal sector employees and self-employed individuals in the social security net.

Though informal sector workers have been receiving benefits from the social security plan since three years back, migrant workers and self-employed persons living abroad were being deprived of the service.

The Non-Resident Nepali Association has also long been advocating for including migrant workers in the social security scheme.

Those obtaining new work permits would be mandatorily included in the scheme from Wednesday onward. Daily around 2,000 people are obtaining a work permit.

Those obtaining work permits should deposit contributions equivalent to a month’s salary to the fund.

Spokesperson Panthi said a worker going abroad for employment would entitle to receive a 10 per cent discount while depositing contributions worth amounting to a six-month salary.

The migrant workers living abroad could enlist them from the website of the fund and deposit their contribution amount.

According to the approved procedural guideline, migrant workers or self-employed persons living abroad could participate in the facility by depositing at least 21.33 per cent amount of basic remuneration or a minimum of Rs 2,000 monthly and it’s three-fold in maximum.

Panthi informed that 399,566 employees of the formal sector have so far enrolled in the fund.

Rs 30 billion and 870 million have been deposited to the fund so far. The Fund has made payments of Rs 3 billion and 810 million to the contributors as per their claim.

The contribution-based social security scheme has been brought into implementation since 27 November 2018.