Social justice an important dynamic of socialism-oriented constitution: PM Dahal

KATHMANDU, Nov 27: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that social justice is the most important aspect for the implementation of the socialism-oriented constitution.

Speaking at the sixth Social Security Day organized by the Social Security Fund in the capital on Monday, PM Dahal said, "Social security scheme is instrumental for implementation of the socialism-oriented constitution. Therefore, this programme is a matter of pride for the entire people who aspire to establish a socialist state."

Dahal expressed his happiness for the preparation of the SSF to consider healthcare services also for the families of the beneficiaries. According to him, this scheme would be the best example of ensuring everyone's easy access to healthcare services.

The head of the government pledged utmost support from the government to ensure the fund's reach to all Nepali citizens as well as to develop the fund as the social security provider organization for all Nepalis since their birth to death.

He called for the smooth coordination among the three-tier government as well as the local government for effective implementation of the scheme.

Similarly, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Sarat Singh Bhandari shared that the process to include temporary wagers and contractual employees/workers in the social security scheme is in the final stage.

He informed that discussions are underway to invest the fund's money in the productive sector.

Likewise, Danduraj Ghimire, officiating secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, asserted that Nepal was a leading country in implementation of the social security scheme among the countries in South Asia.

According to him, the government was actively working towards including workers in formal and informal sectors as well as self-employed and those in foreign employment in the scheme.

Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC)'s President Binod Shrestha blamed that the employers were not generous in roping workers in the scheme. He said that the government's role in enforcing the scheme was weak.

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) President Chandra Prasad Dhakal appealed to the government to consider investing the fund's amount in the productive sector as well as for job creation.

Nepal Chamber of Commerce President Rajendra Malla spoke of the need to include workers from various sectors in the scheme.

ILO's Country Director Numan Ozcan argued that social security is the fundamental right of the workers and said the social security scheme would greatly contribute in reducing the risks in the lives of the workers.

SSF Executive Director Kabiraj Adhikari assured that the fund was actively working to ensure participation of as many workers as possible and provide them with more schemes.

On the occasion, PM Dahal feted employers, service providers and organizations for registering workers in the fund.