Kathmandu, March 22

The Social Security Fund (SSF) today initiated a social security scheme for Nepali migrant workers - both employed by foreign company and self-employed.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal launched the scheme in a bid to bring around four million workers employed abroad and self-employed individuals in foreign countries under the SSF.

The scheme has been implemented with the inclusion of Manju Thapaliya, who is working in Israel, into the SSF.

During the launch ceremony, Prime Minister Dahal emphasised the government's commitment to resolve the issues surrounding foreign employment and contributing to the country's development.

He stated that by connecting migrant workers to the SSF, the government aims to establish closer ties with the citizens employed in all sectors.

'The government is also planning to bring government employees who previously worked on a contract basis into the SSF.'

Acknowledging the significant contribution of migrant workers to the country's development, Prime Minister Dahal stated that the money from the fund will be utilised in productive sectors, infrastructure projects, and creating more job opportunities within the country.

Likewise, Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi said that the government's burden towards social security should be minimised through this scheme.

'The government's expenditure on social security has been increasing, currently accounting for 5.18 per cent of the country's total GDP and 12 per cent of the national budget,' he said.

'With the rising expenditure on social security, it is putting pressure on the national budget. Therefore, the government should connect other informal sectors to this scheme in order to minimise its responsibility towards social security.'

As per the scheme, individuals who are employed or self-employed overseas may now partake in the programme by making a minimum monthly contribution of Rs 2,002, which amounts to 21.33 per cent of the minimum basic salary established by the Nepal government.

Moreover, these individuals may opt to contribute up to three times their basic salary as the maximum limit.

The procedure has implemented a range of schemes, including the Accident and Disability Protection Scheme, Dependent Family Protection Scheme, and Old Age Protection Scheme. These programmes are specifically designed to provide coverage and support to contributors who make consistent and timely contributions.

Also, a new provision has been introduced to enable individuals who are obtaining a work permit overseas or seeking to renew their work permit while abroad to enrol in the social security scheme via the online system (FEMIS) established by the Department of Foreign Employment.

The fund's website has been equipped to enable individuals who are working overseas with a valid work permit to register themselves on the platform.

To facilitate the registration process and contribution collection, the fund has made arrangements of call centres and social network accounts. Furthermore, with the recent agreement between the fund and the Non-Resident Nepali Organisation (NRNA), joining the fund has become even more accessible. The NRNA, with its vast network spanning over 80 countries, has pledged its support to assist individuals in enrolling in the programme.

Efforts are currently underway to collect contribution amounts from Nepali banks and remittance offices located overseas. Even if they are residing abroad, individuals can still make contributions through their bank accounts located in Nepal.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 23, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.