The MDG report(UNDP,2011) says that Nepal can reach most of the targets if the government is able to manage resources and build institutional and policy capacity for implementation of strategic interventions. Nepal, however, faces considerable challenges in reaching the target of achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people. Nepal’s trade and industry is in crisis and agricultural productivity low. Lack of access to affordable credit and weak law and order situation have weakened Nepal’s economy. As a result, a large number of Nepali people are still trapped in poverty and social protection benefits and services remain a privilege. Providing social security to workers is also a challenge because more than 90 percent of the total labour force operates outside the formal economy. In welfare economies, social security and protection systems covering universal family benefits, social assistance, and social insurance have been critical in alleviating poverty and enhancing people’s living standards. The approaches to social security and protection have transformed since the 1980s, giving more thrust to the universal and progressive dimensions that consider the vertical and horizontal ingredients. In Nepal, social protection plays the role of a catalyst in consolidating durable peace.The International Labour Conference (ILO, 2011b)has outlined several strategies to extend social security by closing coverage gaps and pointed out that effective national strategies be formed in line with national priorities, administrative feasibility and affordability. The primary goal is to ensure that no one lives below a certain level of income and everyone has access to basic social services. Reducing poverty, containing inequality and sustaining economic growth is not effective without strengthening labour and social institutions and promoting proemployment macroeconomic environments (Bachelet,2011). Nepal has already incorporated certain elements of the floor in social relief programs, although in a fragmented manner. A key challenge is to organize these programs as part of a coherent social protection strategy. Social security in Nepal has received a boost since the 2006 political change, which sought to end exclusion of marginalized groups from access to government services and provide social protection to the poor and the vulnerable. Many cash transfer programmes for the older people, women, and children have been introduced, and these have significantly helped close the poverty gap. Taking into account the near and long term perspectives, a comprehensive social security and protection policy should be formulated through consensus among the major stakeholders. This should lay out the best possible means of accomplishing the objectives and finding alternative ways to fill the resource gaps. Distinction should be made
between individual components of social security and social protection. The models of proposed schemes should be clear; the state’s responsibilities and contributory frameworks should be clearly spelt out. Without such policy-led clarity, various proposed laws may face challenges and accomplishment of the intended objectives would become difficult. The implementation time frame of 10 years stipulated in the social security act is very long and the reasons are not explained. Similarly, the critically important Unemployment Facility Related Act needs to be expedited.
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Publisher:
ILO
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(2012
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Type / Script:
Progress Report
in English
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Keywords:
SOCIAL SECURITY, CHILD BENEFITS, RETIRED ARMY APPOINTMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, MATERNITY LEAVE, UNIVERSAL OLD AGE PENSION, ALLOWANCES, CITIZEN INVESTMENT TRUST, SICK LEAVE, LOCAL SELF GOVERNANCE ACT, SECURITY, PROTECTION, HEALTH INSURANCE, SOCIAL INCLUSION, CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION, DISABILITY PERSON, PROTECTION OF SENIOR CITIZEN, INFORMAL WORKERS, AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, SUSTAINABILITY, SOCIAL INSURANCE
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Thematic Group: ILO
:
International Labor & Labor
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Thesaurus:
14.05.04
- Welfare And Social Services
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Reference Link:
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