State-run media aligned with SSF
Kathmandu, Nov 27: The State-run media have been aligned with social security fund (SSF).
The media houses running under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology were brought under SSF on the occasion of the 8th Social Security Day on Thursday. A signing ceremony was held at the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Minister in the presence of Prime Minister Sushila Karki and Minister for Communication, Jagdish Kharel.
Executive Director at SSF, Kaviraj Adhikari, and senior officials from State-run media signed the document, formally tying up the offices to SSF. The media were- Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Gorkhapatra Corporation, Public Broadcasting Service Nepal, Press Council Nepal, and Minimum Wage Fixing Committee.
On the occasion, Minister Kharel said although there was the law to benefit employees with SSF, the State media were yet to be aligned with it. Talking to media persons following the signing ceremony, he informed that government would gradually incorporate offices under various ministries with this scheme.
With this initiation, the journalists and employees working on contract basis would be directly benefitted.
All private and community media registered in Nepal would be encouraged to adopt SSF scheme gradually, according to Minister Kharel.
The senior officials from the state-run media have vowed to enforce the letter of agreement they exchanged with SSF. They would now formulate necessary work plan and enforce accordingly.
SSF is a broader welfare scheme the government had introduced for the rights and safety of employees, including treatment cost. SSF has recorded the deposit (contribution) of Rs 95.69 billion so far. As many as 253,143 workers have got benefit with Rs 17.72 billion.
