The number of migrant workers to be enrolled in the Social Security Fund (SSF) has started increasing. They are workers who have gone for overseas employment after acquiring a labor permit. So far, a total of 260,082 migrant workers have joined the social security scheme run by the SSF.
The government had on March 22, 2023 made a provision that migrant workers have to be associated with the Social Security Fund. As per the provision, workers going for overseas employment have to be enlisted in the Fund before acquiring a work permit.
A total of 423,092 workers of the formal sector have been associated with the Fund. Similarly, 639,174 workers including the formal sector and overseas employment sector have been associated with the Fund. The Fund has paid claims of Rs 5 billion to contributors under different social security schemes.
Spokesperson at the Fund, Bibek Panthi, said 18,000 employers have been enlisted in the Fund, with a collection of Rs 36.26 billion to the Fund so far. It has been collecting 11 per cent contribution from workers of the formal sector per month while 20 per cent contribution from employers. A total of 88,585 contributors have received different entitlements from the Fund so far.
