All Industries Now Mandated to Register in Social Security Fund: New Government Policy for FY 2082/83

In a significant policy shift aimed at strengthening labor rights and ensuring worker welfare, the Government of Nepal has made it mandatory for all industries and business establishments to register under the Contribution-Based Social Security Fund. This provision is part of the government's recently presented policies and programs for the fiscal year 2082/83.

The move marks a departure from previous years, where registration in the Social Security Fund, established in 2076 BS, was not compulsory for all industries. The newly announced policy seeks to bring all forms of employment, across companies, institutions, cooperatives, firms, and other organizations, under the ambit of the Social Security Fund, regardless of the nature or terms of employment.

Delivering the policy address to a joint session of the Federal Parliament, President Ramchandra Paudel stated, “While renewing companies, institutions, cooperatives, or firms, it will be legally required to provide evidence that workers have been enrolled in the Social Security Fund and that regular contributions have been made on their behalf.”

This decision aims to ensure a more inclusive and sustainable social protection system, providing workers with access to benefits such as medical treatment, maternity support, accident insurance, pension, and unemployment support. The government believes that mandatory registration will help formalize the labor sector, improve transparency, and enhance long-term security for workers.

Stakeholders have welcomed the policy as a long-overdue step to align Nepal’s labor protection mechanisms with international standards. The implementation details, including monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, are expected to be outlined in upcoming legal amendments and directives.