Kathmandu. A high-level meeting was held between the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) and the Social Security Fund (SSF).

The meeting also decided to prepare a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) and expand collaboration between the two sides with the objective of making the social security system of Nepali workers abroad more effective.

Although 22 lakh Nepali workers are registered in the SSF, their contribution is limited and many workers have not been able to maintain their contribution. The participants stressed on the need to conduct a massive awareness campaign about the benefits of SSF for migrant workers. Among the decisions taken by the meeting were to prepare a new MoU to implement SSF contribution, make arrangements for self-contribution for undocumented workers, issue a demand letter for SSF allowance and expand SSF coverage in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Likewise, it has been decided to make the renewal of foreign employment registration effective, to make direct agreement with employers, to integrate the National Identity Card (NID) into the SSF system and to give DB Chhetri the responsibility of central focal point and coordinator. The meeting also decided to conduct roadshow programme in the Middle East, collaborate in policy formulation, strengthen labour monitoring system and share NRNA members’ details.

Similarly, the meeting has also proposed a policy proposal to make SSF facility transferable in the context of the European Union (EU) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), sign the SSF agreement in the destination countries and include it in the bilateral labour agreement.

Apart from this, the meeting also discussed practical issues related to the embassy, social security of the students studying abroad, operation of manpower agency, virtual orientation program, foreign employment payment mechanism, and transfer of SSF funds to Nepal through banks.