Social Security Fund Provides Over Rs 2 Million in Financial Aid to Worker’s Family

Kathmandu, Magh 21 — The Social Security Fund (SSF) has facilitated financial support amounting to more than Rs 2 million for the dependent family of a worker who was not enrolled in the contribution-based social security scheme.

The fund arranged a payment of Rs 2,043,645 for the family of Ram Anand Sah Kanu, who was employed at a textile trading company in Birgunj and passed away on Shrawan 27, 2079 (2022). On Wednesday, SSF Executive Director Kabiraj Adhikari handed over a cheque of the said amount to the deceased worker’s wife, Uma Devi.

Kanu’s employer had not registered the company with the Social Security Fund, which resulted in the family being deprived of social security benefits. Following her husband’s death, Uma Devi filed an application on Kartik 25, 2079, requesting all benefits entitled to dependent family protection.

The SSF formally notified the employer on Mangsir 15, 2079. As no mutual settlement was reached between the employer and the victim’s family, the fund issued an order directing the employer to provide the dependent family benefits.

Challenging the order, the employer filed an appeal at the Patan High Court. However, on Chaitra 12, 2080, the High Court upheld the fund’s decision. The employer later approached the Supreme Court, which also endorsed the SSF’s ruling.

After completion of all legal proceedings, the fund requested Nepal Rastra Bank on Mangsir 28 to freeze the employer’s bank account. The account was unfrozen after the employer paid the full amount to the dependent family.

Speaking at the program, Executive Director Adhikari stated that the fund holds the authority to ensure dependent family benefits even if employers fail to enroll their workers in the Social Security Fund.

Currently, the SSF has registered around 2.78 million contributors, including 673,000 from the formal sector and 2.106 million from foreign employment. The fund has so far disbursed claims worth Rs 18.63 billion under various benefit schemes.