Insurance Authority Employees Launch Protest, Vow to Continue Until Benefits Are Equalized

Kathmandu — Employees of the Nepal Insurance Authority have launched a protest demanding equal service benefits with staff of other regulatory bodies and the continuation of facilities they have been receiving.

The employees have been holding sit-ins, discussions and pressure campaigns during office hours since September 22, with the protest continuing on Wednesday. They say their benefits are considerably lower than those provided to employees of institutions such as Nepal Rastra Bank and the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON), while their existing facilities have increasingly been cut.

Protesting employees have expressed dissatisfaction with the Authority’s senior management, alleging that it has failed to coordinate effectively with the Ministry of Finance and push for their demands.

“Our institution has been unable to play a coordinating role with the Finance Ministry. SEBON and Nepal Rastra Bank have taken an active role and secured appropriate benefits, while we have always been forced to work with fewer facilities,” one employee said, adding that the protest was intended to pressure the relevant authorities.

According to the employees, although NPR 10 million had been allocated for the Authority, the approved budget was limited to NPR 1.5 million. They said restrictions on budget and benefit-related decisions had led to cuts in facilities, including transport benefits, which were halted from Wednesday.

They described the reduction of already limited benefits as discriminatory, particularly as employees of other regulators continue to receive improved facilities. They also said rising living costs made it increasingly difficult to work with their current benefits, arguing that the issue should not be viewed solely as a demand for personal perks.

The employees have also questioned the Authority’s institutional performance. They claim that weak coordination by senior management with the Finance Ministry and other relevant bodies has affected not only staff but the wider insurance sector. They further allege that the Authority has failed to maintain adequate coordination with insurance company CEOs and senior officials.

“This is not just about our benefits. Because the Authority’s senior officials have failed to lobby effectively with the Finance Ministry, even insurance companies are dissatisfied. The lack of coordination with CEOs and senior officials has affected us,” another protesting employee said, vowing to continue the protest until their demands are met.

The employees said the protest has the support of all Authority staff. Their ongoing activities include sit-ins during office hours, discussions with senior officials and efforts to pressure the relevant authorities.

As part of the protest, employees also held discussions with the Authority’s Executive Director, Sushil Dev Subedi, on Wednesday.

They said the movement was not intended to secure individual gains but to ensure equal institutional benefits and press the Authority’s leadership to coordinate more effectively with the relevant agencies.