Government is serious to guarantee social security, says Labor Minister

KATHMANDU, Aug 14: Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Bista has said that the government was serious toward guaranteeing social security to the grassroots level people by bringing the laborers working in the informal sector into the social security coverage. 

The Labor Minister said this while addressing the National Discussion on Social Security in Nepal organized by the International Trade Union Confederation - Asia Pacific here today. 

He said it was necessary to pursue the social security program so as to cover as many as laborers. 

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'It is a very difficult job indeed to bring the large number of workers who are in the non-formal economy into the ambit of social security. The social security act has made some provisions in this regard. It is necessary to formulate plans in additional sectors other than those provided in the act while taking into account the international practice,' he said. 

The Minister expressed the belief that this type of program can be implemented in an effective way through the coordinated efforts among the employers, laborers and the three tiers of governments. 

He added that the government was working at a war footing to take forward the social security program within two months, saying it would play an important role in providing social justice to the socially and economically marginalized communities. 

The Labor Minister also stated that the government was preparing to formulate an integrated act to integrate the scattered programs in the social security sector. 

Stating that the social security program would be further expanded and systematized, he claimed that the program has prepared the basis for the people to living a dignified life. 

He said although it was the government's desire to bring all the citizens under the social security coverage and to establish the access of all the people to the basic services, it has not been possible for the lack of resources. 

The Minister added that the constitution has guaranteed appropriate pay and the right to social security based on facilities and contribution to every laborer. He also shared that the Labor Act, the Labor Regulations and the Social Security Act have been passed and the cabinet will pass the Social Security Regulations also in few days. RSS