July 19: The Social Security Fund (SSF) has intensified its homework to include self-employed workers from the informal sector in the government’s social security scheme. The process of preparing a draft of the work procedure to include those workers is in the final stage. 

The government has already amended the 'Some Nepal Act' to include workers in the informal sector. The SSF has intensified the process of drafting the work procedure to include workers from informal sector in the contribution-based Social Security Fund. 

The Act reads "Informal sector workers and self-employed people can participate in the scheme by contributing a specific amount after the Ministry publishes notice in the Nepal Gazette on the recommendation of the SSF committee."

According to the Act, the SSF is also authorized to collaborate with cooperatives, community associations and other business associations for the purpose of involving informal sector workers and self-employed persons in the social security scheme. Bibek Panthi, spokesperson of SSF informed that the fund seeks to implement the provisions of the Act, which allow to include the informal sector workers by setting up programs.

He confirmed that the draft of the work procedure has been prepared. Another sub-committee has been formed within the SSF to finalize the draft. "The budget also aims to include workers from the informal sector, so we will soon finalize and implement the procedure," said Panthi.

After the implementation of this work procedure, daily wage workers, self-employed or stock market investors will also be able to participate in the social security scheme.

Similarly, preparations are on to include government employees working on contract basis. A committee has been formed at the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security in this regard. Once the committee gives its decision, those employees will be included in the social security scheme.