Over 100K self-employed join NSSF
MORE than 100,000 self-employed individuals and their dependants have registered as members of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) since coverage was expanded on November 14 last year.
The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training announced that from November 14 to January 1, the ministry registered 106,862 new members via the voluntary contribution scheme.
Ministry secretary of state and spokesperson Katta Orn explained that of those registered, 97,031 were self-employed and 9,831 were NSSF members’ dependents. The new members have used NSSF services 49,929 times, with expenditure to health providers standing at 799.29 million riel (about $200,000).
“The ministry has conducted awareness campaigns about the benefits of the new scheme in factories, large businesses and manufacturing enterprises, rental units and markets, reaching an estimated 1,371,129 people. In addition, a social media campaign by artists, singers and influencers was viewed more than 12,000 times,” said Orn.
He added that the expansion of NSSF healthcare to self-employed people and their families has changed the aspirations of many such individuals. They now want to become members, as it is the desire of most workers to obtain health insurance.
“The NSSF has become a symbol of the government’s care for workers. It helps to reduce costs, strengthen the stability and predictability of their incomes, and improves their health,” he said.
Prime Minister Hun Manet officially
announced the implementation of the “NSSF for Healthcare via Voluntary Contribution Regime” and the “Vocational and Technical Training Programme for Youth from Impoverished and Vulnerable households” on November 14 last year. The programme extends to more than 5 million beneficiaries.
“The goal is to make the Cambodian people healthier, stronger and smarter, with higher capacity from generation to generation and with more opportunities to contribute to the rapid development of the nation,” he said at the time.
Oum Nary, a coffee seller in Phnom Penh, said she was delighted when she
heard the prime minister announced that NSSF cards were available to business owners and their family members.
“I was really happy. Now I have the right to get an NSSF card, just the same as civil servants and the employees of large companies or organisations,” she added.
“According to previous studies, in the absence of a healthcare system, an average worker may spend between $15 and $20 per month on medical care. As a result, many of them avoid the personal expense of seeking treatment, meaning preventable or treatable conditions may get worse, or even beyond help,” said Manet, as he announced the decision.