NSSF and OXFAM Initiates Annual Forum to Improve Social Security Governance and Dialogue

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and Oxfam have initiated an annual forum aimed at improving social security governance and promoting dialogue. The forum brings together social security regulators, operators, health service providers, local leaders, and workers’ representatives from across Cambodia.

The joint initiative, titled “Towards Inclusive, Gender-Responsive, and Universal Social Security in Cambodia,” seeks to enhance access to social security coverage and benefits, with a particular focus on quality healthcare services. By providing a platform for policy dialogue and public consultation, the forum facilitates discussions on immediate challenges, limitations, opportunities for improvement, and collaborative solutions in the social security sector.

Oxfam, with its mission to combat poverty and injustice, is committed to collaborating with the government and relevant stakeholders to address poverty and inequality, especially among vulnerable groups such as garment workers, smallholder farmers, and those in the informal economy. Oxfam emphasize the importance of inclusive, gender-responsive, and universal social security in Cambodia to ensure the well-being of workers and their families and reduce vulnerability to global disasters and epidemics.

The NSSF, under the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, has been actively working to develop the social security system, improve management capacities, expand coverage, and ensure that no one is left behind. The forum aligns with the NSSF’s efforts to achieve comprehensive social security and make progress towards universal health coverage in Cambodia.

The annual forum consists of roundtable discussions on strengthening inclusive and gender-responsive social security systems in the country. Panels include representatives from the NSSF, the General Secretariat of the National Social Protection Council, the Ministry of Health, industry associations, employer associations, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, social security regulators, researchers, union leaders, and the Social Protection for All (SP4ALL) coalition.

Prior to the annual forum, three regional forums were held in different economic centers across Cambodia. These regional forums provided an opportunity for local leaders and workers’ representatives to voice their concerns and make specific requests related to social security. The requests included improving the registration and payment process for worker contributions, ensuring maternity and pregnancy protection, and enhancing the quality of healthcare services provided by the NSSF.

The joint initiative between the NSSF and Oxfam demonstrates their commitment to improving social security governance and fostering dialogue among stakeholders. The concerns and requests raised during the forums will be documented, analyzed, and presented to the NSSF, the General Secretariat of the National Social Protection Council, the Ministry of Health, and other relevant stakeholders for policy interventions.

Moving forward, NSSF and Oxfam will continue to support this initiative to improve social security governance and dialogue. The concerns and requests raised during the forums will be documented, analyzed, and presented to NSSF, the General Secretariat of the National Social Protection Council, the Ministry of Health, and other relevant stakeholders for policy interventions.