CNI, SSF sign MoU to boost social security enrolment

KATHMANDU: Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and the Social Security Fund (SSF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to raise awareness of social security in the industrial sector and encourage worker enrolment in the scheme.

The MoU was signed during an orientation and interaction programme on social security jointly organised by CNI and SSF at the CNI Secretariat on Monday. CNI Director General Ghanashyam Ojha signed on behalf of CNI, and Executive Director Kabi Raj Adhikari signed on behalf of SSF.

Under the collaboration, CNI will help connect its member industries to the social security scheme, run awareness programmes nationwide, provide necessary information and work to ensure the long‑term welfare of workers.

CNI President Birendra Raj Pandey said the collaboration is extremely important for both workers and industries and pledged continuous assistance in affiliating industrialists with the SSF, expressing confidence that the partnership would make the social security system more practical and accessible.

Dr Krishna Hari Pushkar, secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, said the SSF is a crucial foundation for making workers’ lives easier and more secure and that the understanding would play a significant role in increasing active participation by workers and employers from all sectors and in helping their inclusion in the registration system.

CNI Vice President Bhim Ghimire stated that the SSF is not just a welfare programme but a main basis for human capital development. He added that CNI would carry out similar awareness and interaction programmes extensively at the provincial level.

Likewise, SSF Executive Director Adhikari said the collaboration is important to further strengthen the social security system and to continuously expand facilities for workers.

Former SSF board member and CNI Employers’ Council Chairperson Dhruba Rijal, SSF board member and Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC) President Jagat Simkhada, officials from affiliated federations, SSF representatives, members of the Employers’ Council and representatives of industrialists and businesspeople attended the programme.