Page 55 - KDU Law Journal Volume 4 Issue 2

KDU Law Journal Volume 04 Issue II
September, 2024
Introduction
The right to social security is a basic human right that entrusts
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confidence and motivation to an individual or a workforce. The
social security scheme can also be taken as a measure for building
a harmonious relationship between employer and employee, job
stability, and empowering the workforce. It reveals that investment
in a social security scheme by either employer or government or
both is a ‘good investment’ that helps for the sustainable social and
economic growth of those who are associated with the business
entity for delivering knowledge, skill, and physical energy. Also, it
can be understood as empowering the future of the workforce of any
country.

The definition, notions, and approaches of social security are evolving
and growing in the international arena. There is not any unanimous
acceptance of a specific date to trace for addressing the inception of
the concept of social security to date. Nevertheless, some literature
mentioned that Germany introduced social security in 1833 for the
first time. However, the concept and dynamics of social security have
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gradually developed in line with each country’s needs, requirements,
and socio-economic and political context. The wider realization of
instrumentalizing the concept of social security can be seen mainly
after the Industrial Revolution, which lasted from the mid-eighteenth
century. Countries such as India and Sri Lanka implemented social
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security measures shortly after gaining independence in the late
1940s . Conversely, in countries like Nepal, such measures have only
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been introduced in more recent decades.
1 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (adopted 10 December 1948 UNGA Res 217
A(III) (UDHR) art. 22 and art.25 (1) Article 22 states, “Everyone, as a member of society,
has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and
international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each
State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free
development of his personality.”
2 S.R. Samant, Industrial Jurisprudence, (N.M. Tripathi Pvt.Ltd. Bombay, 2000)208
3 Pawan. Ojha. Industrial Jurisprudence, (Lumbhini Prakashan, Kathmandu, 2017)200
4 South Asian Regional Trade Council<https://www.sartuc.org/issue/an-overview-of-social-
protection-in-saarc-countries/>> (accessed on 18/06/2024).
law.faculty@kdu.ac.lk
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