Public media join SSF

Kathmandu, Nov. 27

All media outlets under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MoCIT) have now been affiliated with the Social Security Fund (SSF).

On the occasion of the Eighth Social Security Day, government media outlets were affiliated with the Social Security Fund in the first phase.

In accordance with the legal provisions that require formal organisations and associations to affiliate with the SSF, government media outlets have formally joined the Fund.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the affiliation of government media with the SSF was signed today at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) at the Singha Durbar in the presence of Prime Minister Sushila Karki and Communications Minister Jagdish Kharel, marking the eighth anniversary of the establishment of the Fund.

Executive Director of the SSF, Kabiraj Adhikari signed the MoU with the officials from the relevant bodies.

Among those signing the MOU were the Rastriya Samachar Samiti, Gorkhapatra Corporation, Public Broadcasting Service Nepal (PBS), Press Council Nepal, and Minimum Wage Determination Committee.

Minister Jagdish Kharel said that, although there was a law in place for government media outlets to affiliate with the SSF, they had not done so for various reasons until now. Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Communications on Thursday, he mentioned that with this affiliation, it marks the beginning of the inclusion of media organisations within the scope of social security. He also added that all other bodies under the ministry would be gradually affiliated with the Social Security Fund.

"All government media outlets under the ministry have now been affiliated with the SSF. With this, journalists and employees working with government media will now come under the scope of social security. This is just the beginning, and further work will follow. We will continue to implement this for other agencies under the ministry," said Minister Kharel.

He said that all private and community media outlets registered and operating in Nepal would also be gradually affiliated with the SSF.

"The bodies signing the agreement have formulated action plans. They will decide how to include everyone under the legal provisions without any contradictions," he said.

The government media outlets, by signing the MoU, have committed to making the necessary arrangements and implementing them.

According to the SSF, by Wednesday, 2.6 million citizens have been brought under the umbrella of social security based on their contributions. The Fund runs various schemes for workers, including medical treatment, health and maternity benefits, accident disability, family protection, and old-age security.

Workers and their families have been receiving various benefits and facilities from these schemes.

So far, the SSF has collected a total of Rs. 95.68 billion based on contributions. A total of 253,143 workers have claimed Rs. 17.72 billion in benefits. In addition to health benefits, the Fund also provides interest on savings, monthly pensions after a certain period, home loans, and educational loans, among other benefits.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 November 2025.