KATHMANDU, June 10: Stating that democracy without economic rights and social justice remains incomplete, Prime Minister KP Oli has said that Nepal's conception of democracy goes beyond formalities such as formation of political party, take part in electoral process or enjoy freedom of expression.
Addressing the High Level Centenary (108th Session) of the International Labor Conference in Geneva on Monday, Nepal's vision of comprehensive democracy seeks to empowers individual in all dimensions—political, economic, social and cultural. “Our Constitution embodies social justice, right against exploitation, rights to work, remuneration and social security as well as right to trade union and collective bargaining,” he said.
Prime Minister Oli mentioned that rights to education, healthcare, food, housing, culture and language are guaranteed as fundamental rights of people. He also said that the government had enacted a number of implementing legislations to enforce the fundamental rights, including those related to the world of works.
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“The entire life of an individual is covered by social security system. In childhood and old age State provides universal social security. In active age, workers are protected through contribution-based social security. This provision has been incorporated in the Social Security Act,” said the prime minister.
Prime Minister Oli mentioned that Nepal had launched an ambitious and comprehensive social security scheme to the working age population and Prime Minister's Employment Program to create jobs and guarantee employment and increased the amount and coverage of social security allowances.
“To change the production relations, we have introduced new sets of labour laws that safeguard dignity of work, guarantee equal pay for the equal value of work, and ensure flexibility in the world of work,” the prime minister further said.
Prime Minister Oli also mentioned that Nepal had taken special measures to ensure inclusion of all sections of society in state organs. One-third representation of women is guaranteed in the Federal Parliament and Provincial Assemblies. “One-third representation of women is guaranteed in the Federal Parliament and Provincial Assemblies. Elections in 2017 have resulted over 41 per cent of women's representation in elected bodies,” he said.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Oli said that Nepal intends to end all forms of deprivation and exploitation and ensure equitable development and establish a socialism-oriented state as envisioned by the constitution. “We aim to end the worst form of child labor by 2022 and all forms of child labor by 2025,” he said, saying that Nepal is committed to meet SDGs before 2030, including the SDG 8 composite in all its dimensions.
Prime Minister Oli had remained in various functions in Geneva. On Monday, Oli also held a brief meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg. The two leaders made an overview of overall aspects of bilateral relations and explored the new area of cooperation in bilateral level and in international forums.
