The Campaign: Social Security for All – Key Pillar for a New Eco-Social Contract was launched on an event moderated by Farah Al Shami (Arab Reform Initiative). Global testimonies on the challenges of poverty targeting and pension privatization were presented by Allana Kembabazi (ISER, Uganda), Sarala Emmanuel (Feminist Collective for Economic Justice in Colombo, Sri Lanka), Guillermo Zuccotti (CGT, Argentina) and Manuel Riesco (CENDA Foundation, Chile). Isabel Ortiz (Global Social Justice) presented the Campaign Social Security for All. Watch the video
Governments and international financial institutions should make a commitment to create social security systems that enable everyone to realize their rights, 43 human rights and economic justice organizations said today. Governments and financial institutions should end policies that have been failing millions of people.
The groups sent a joint statement to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in advance of the 2023 annual meetings of both institutions in Marrakesh, Morocco, from October 9 to 15, 2023. Read more
The hybrid session “Building a New Eco-social Contract and Advancing Social Security in Times of Debt and Austerity” will take place during the Civil Society Policy Forum (CSPF) of the WBG-IMF Annual Meetings 2023 in Marrakech, Morocco on Friday, October 13th, 2023 - 2 pm (UTC+1). Read more
The idea of a global fund for social protection has taken hold over the last decade as a potential solution to structural gaps in the global financial and development architectures.
Based on a study produced by a team of researchers, led by Professor Nicola Yeates at the Open University in the UK, and published by the ILO, this webinar aims to present experiences of setting up global funds across the health, climate and agriculture sectors and the lessons to be learnt from them that can guide further thinking about the implementation of a prospective global fund for social protection.
Webinar 26 October, 2023 - 14:00 - GMT+2 / CEST Read more
A new approach to combating global poverty
The eradication of poverty has traditionally relied on growing the economy, combined with redistribution: GDP growth, in this approach, is essential to the fight against poverty, a condition for financing public services and social policies.
Prof Olivier De Schutter argues that we now need to move beyond this approach, and to expand our toolkit in the fight against poverty.
9 November 2023 - Online on Zoom Read more
Amnesty International (AI) is a global movement of more than 10 million people campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all. Amnesty International campaigns and advocates for human rights change on the basis of serious and thorough research on a variety of issues all over the world. Amnesty International is funded by members and is independent of any political ideology, economic interest or religion.
Amnesty International works on the full spectrum of human rights – civil, cultural, economic, political, and social. In the realm of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR), and has done extensive research and campaigning on a number of issues including on the rights to education, food, health, adequate housing, sanitation, water, and work. Around two years ago, Amnesty International expanded its ESCR portfolio to also work on the right to social security. Amnesty International is building their body of work on the right to social security, in particular around – universal coverage, comprehensive coverage and non-discrimination. It is in this context that Amnesty International seeks to join the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors as we believe that we can both benefit and contribute to the work of the Coalition. Contact information: Malavika Vartak, Researcher / Policy Adviser, Economic and Social Justice Team, Read more
Governments and international financial institutions should make a commitment to create social security systems that enable everyone to realize their rights, 43 human rights and economic justice organizations said today. Governments and financial institutions should end policies that have been failing millions of people.
The groups sent a joint statement to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in advance of the 2023 annual meetings of both institutions in Marrakesh, Morocco, from October 9 to 15, 2023. The groups will hold an online meeting on October 4 to explain their call for change. Experts and activists will provide testimonies from Argentina, Chile, Uganda, and Sri Lanka.
“Amid mounting poverty and soaring inequality, where millions grapple daily to realize their economic, social and cultural rights, we cannot afford to maintain social security approaches that have been shown to fail rights,” said Tirana Hassan, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch. “Governments and international financial institutions have an opportunity to course-correct and adopt a rights-aligned approach to social security that sets the tone and leads the way toward more just societies and economies.”
Social security is one of the cornerstones of human rights, sustainable economies, and just societies. It is enshrined in numerous legally binding international treaties and is provided through a set of public policies and programs often known as social protection. These programs ensure income security throughout an individual's life, offering support during life events such as childbirth, old age, illness, disability, unemployment, and circumstances such as climate disasters that elevate the risk of income insecurity, such as the earthquake that recently shook Morocco.
“The right to social protection for all is enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and yet, 75 years later, global social protection falls shamefully short, with more than half of the global population lacking basic coverage, violating human rights,” said Luc Triangle, Acting General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation. Triangle said:
The international financial institutions bear immense responsibility for achieving universal social protection, but it's imperative to shift away from an outdated economic model that often endorses austerity measures. The workers’ call is clear: scaling up social protection financing, an investment for societies which dramatically reduces inequalities while boosting employment, skills, productivity, demand for goods and services, and overall GDP growth.
Many governments rely on social security programs that are means-tested, in which eligibility hinges on income, assets, or narrow poverty indicators. Research shows that these programs are often ineffective because of high error rates, corruption, and social mistrust. Focusing only on people in poverty or extreme poverty also excludes large segments of the population, including those who are not officially considered poor but are far from experiencing economic stability.
“This campaign shows that there are more and more civil society organizations who sees through the statement that ‘poverty-targeting is pro-poor’. In fact, universality is pro-poor, in line with human rights and a key strategy to promote social justice,” said Henrik Fröjmark, Policy Director of Act Church of Sweden.
Stephen Kidd, CEO of Development Pathways, said:
The push by international financial institutions to promote poverty-targeted social assistance schemes–following the poor relief model used by Europe in the 19th century– across lower-income countries has meant that the vast majority of those living on low incomes have been excluded from social security, while national social contracts have been undermined as a result of citizens losing trust in their governments. It’s time that the international financial institutions got behind a modern system of universal life cycle social security system that ensures that everyone can receive protection from childhood to old age and, importantly, helps rebuild trust in government, democracy and strong social contracts.
For decades, the World Bank and the IMF have promoted this flawed approach, the groups said. They have failed to consider social security as a right and that it contributes to building fairer and more stable societies, and not just charity. This has contributed to a global reality in which 53 percent of people lack any form of social security, and whereas instability, social defiance, and polarization are growing and the needs for resilience are greater than ever in the face of the climate crisis.
“On the African continent we have witnessed the dire impact of failing to prioritize social protection resulting in inequality, rising poverty, children dropping out of school and unnecessary deaths,” said Angella Nabwowe, Ag. Executive Director of the Initiative for Social and Economic Rights. Nabwowe said:
Governments must seize this moment to rethink current approaches to social protection that have excluded large segments of the population through targeting and must holistically invest in social protection. The World Bank/IMF and other funders must desist from promoting austerity and poverty targeting, all of which reduce the ability of our governments to adequately finance social protection and prioritize public services, including social protection.
Recent reforms in some countries have also eroded the right to social security, leading to reduced coverage and benefits. In some countries, these changes, supported by the World Bank or IMF, involved cuts to employer contributions or reduced benefits for the majority in the public system. Additionally, privatization of social insurance in some places has worsened poverty and inequality, disproportionately affecting women and older people.
Dr. Maria Ron Balsera, Director of Program at the Center for Economic and Social Rights, said:
The current polycrisis should trigger a shift to a rights-based economy which includes promoting the right to social security for all, supported by the framework of values and obligations of human rights. A rights-based economy demands action to redistribute resources, remedy inequalities, and rebalance power in our economies.
The groups strongly urge the IMF and the World Bank, pivotal actors in financing and shaping social security policies in low- and middle-income countries, to take four measures that could improve the lives of hundreds of millions of people:
Commit to Realizing the Right to Social Security: Support countries’ efforts to realize the right to social security by establishing or strengthening rights-aligned universal social protection systems, beginning with social protection floors.
End Poverty-Targeted Programs: In countries without universal coverage, stop developing new poverty-targeted programs, and phase out existing ones, replacing them with universal alternatives.
Support Equitable and Sustainable Public Systems: The IMF and the World Bank should support equitable and sustainable public social security systems adhering to international standards. This includes adequate employer contributions and income security.
Cease Austerity Measures: The IMF should halt austerity policies that threaten rights and refrain from promoting social spending trade-offs. Investments in health, education, and social security should, at a minimum, meet international benchmarks as a percentage of GDP and national budgets.
“It is high time that governments, the World Bank, and the IMF acted to make universal social protection a reality,” said Marta Schaaf, the climate, economic and social justice, and corporate accountability director at Amnesty International. Schaaf said:
The extraordinary combination of political, economic and climate crises is battering the lives and livelihoods of billions of people who have little or no access to social protection measures. Investing in universal social protection can provide security and dignity, and fulfill the right to social security for all. Protecting people against personal losses or losses due to shocks, from disasters or economic reversals, can be transformational, enabling children to stay in education, improving health care, reducing poverty and income inequality.
“We demand a full restructuring and change in social protection policies,” said Shereen Talat, MenaFem Movement for Economic, Development and Ecological Justice director. “We reject incremental reforms and call for a transformation of the global system. Genuine social protection means empowering the marginalized, eradicating poverty, and ensuring ecological justice. Anything less than this will be undermining the global crisis and perpetuation of injustice."
Signatories to the joint statement:
Act Church of Sweden
Amnesty International
Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND)
Arab Reform Initiative (ARI)
Association For Promotion Sustainable Development
Bretton Woods Project
Building Blocks for Peace Foundation
Center for Economic and Policy Research
Center for Economic and Social Rights
Central Kentucky Council for Peace and Justice
CeSSRA - Centre for Social Sciences Research & Action
Colombo Urban Lab, Sri Lanka
Community Legal Education Center
Development Pathways
Elibariki Msengi
Forum for Wildlife and Environment Preserve (FOWEP)
Free Trade Union Development Center
Friend of the Disabled Association
Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF)
Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR)
Global Redistribution Advocates
Global Social Justice (GSJ)
Global Social Justice Brussels
Human Dignity
Human Rights Watch
Initiative for Right View (IRV)
Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER)
Institute for Economic Justice
International Trade Union Confederation - ITUC
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
Kikandwa Environmental Association
Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation
Madhira Institute
MenaFemMovement For Economic, Development and Ecological Justice
National Campaign for Sustainable Development Nepal
Oxfam International
Phenix Center
PRO Global/Pensioners without Borders
RAISE - Research & Action for Income Security
Social Policy Initiative
The Policy Initiative, Lebanon
The General Confederation of Labour, CGT Argentina
Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO)
In July 2023, the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) and #PayTheGrants (#PTG), through their lawyers at the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI), filed court papers challenging regulations that unlawfully and unconstitutionally exclude millions of people living in poverty in South Africa from receiving the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. The papers filed in the North Gauteng High Court include 79 supporting affidavits from people directly impacted by these regulations. The respondents named in the case are the Minister for Social Development, and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). Read more
Extending social protection coverage is recognized as a priority in a number of ASEAN Declarations, however, public expenditure on social protection is low in the many ASEAN Member States, considerably below the average level in the Asia-Pacific region. ASEAN also remains state-centric and lacks resonance with the region’s citizens. A bigger issue is how non-state actors can carve bigger space and effect these policies more substantively.
Collectively organized by AROSP, ASEC, HNSEA, AMRC, AFWA, INSP!R, MFA, WIEGO, KPRI, INFID, BMC, CLEC, ETOs, F2BM, TEAM9, APSD, TF-AMW, YBS, LIPS
You are invited to join ACSC/APF2023 CS5 Workshops on 1 and 2 September 2023 via face to face at the Atma Jaya University, Jakarta and through Zoom. For online participants, register here
The Global People’s Assembly (GPA) 2023 will be on 17 (Sunday) and 18 September (Monday) in New York – at the UN SDG Summit and the UN General Assembly. The GPA brings people’s representatives together and creates a strong voice at the SDG Summit for the midpoint of Agenda 2030. The assembly will be in-person in the Church Centre of the UN. Participants can also join online. Register here - Read more
The hybrid session “Social Justice: Social Protection and Health, People’s Vaccine” coorganized by GCSPF, GCAP Asia, GCAP Africa, PVA and Africa Japan Forum will be held during the GPA 2023 on 17th September at the UN Church Centre from 11.15 am to 12.45 pm New York time. Register hereRead more
This guide, published by ITUC and ITUC Africa, provides an analysis of the Protocol on Social Protection and Social Security, developed by the African Union Commission and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), with the support of ITUC Africa and other civil society actors. It also contains information on various strategies that trade unions, in collaboration with other CSOs, can employ to support the ratification process. The guide is available in English and French. Read more
The idea of a global fund for social protection has taken hold over the last decade as a potential solution to structural gaps in the global financial and development architectures.
Based on a study produced by a team of researchers, led by Professor Nicola Yeates at the Open University in the UK, and published by the ILO, this webinar aims to present experiences of setting up global funds across the health, climate and agriculture sectors and the lessons to be learnt from them that can guide further thinking about the implementation of a prospective global fund for social protection.
Webinar 26 October, 2023 - 14:00 - GMT+2 / CEST Read more
Experts unanimously emphasized the necessity of developing effective and sustainable insurance tools to include informal workers in Jordan’s social protection system, allowing them to benefit from the coverage provided by the Social Security Corporation.
This consensus emerged during a dialogue session held by Phenix Center for Economic and Informatics Studies in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) on Tuesday 15 August 2023. Read more
In the study "Inequality, social protection and the right to development" (A/HRC/54/83), the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development examines inequality within and among States through the framework of the right to development. It considers the political economy of development and explores capacities to enhance universal and comprehensive social protection systems.
In assessing inequality-reduction policies and social protection systems, the Expert Mechanism identifies global good practices and practices that are exclusionary or restrictive. It places social protection systems within the context of State obligations, international cooperation and global partnerships, as outlined in the Declaration on the Right to Development, and the new social contract, as outlined in the Secretary-General’s report entitled “Our Common Agenda”.
To conclude, the Expert Mechanism offers recommendations to States and other stakeholders to address deepening inequalities within and among States by establishing universal social protection systems as a fundamental human right understood through the principle of equality of opportunity for development. Read more
This publication by Markus Kaltenborn, member of the Global Coalition, on the relevance of social protection systems for the adaption to climate change has been submitted to the Transitional Committee (TC) whose task is to prepare the COP28. Read more
A month of free learning sessions, featuring experienced speakers teaching about how international
financial institutions (IFIs) impact women’s rights, plus advocacy and mobilizing tactics to rise up against them.
The summer school is free to any activist, scholar and advocate interested in learning about economic justice
and IFI influencing – especially women’s rights groups!
The Gender IFI collective, a group of economic justice, women’s rights and IFI advocacy groups. Read more
Public sector trade unions have welcomed an announcement from the Philippines Government that recently approved social protection floors (SPFs) will cover precarious public services workers including community health workers, known as barangay health workers (BHWs). Read more
The Phenix Center for Economics and Informatics Studies held a panel discussion on improving working conditions for digital labor platform workers in Jordan and around the world. The panel discussion featured renowned experts from the global team of the Fairwork project, alongside experts from Jordan and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It looked into the role of digital labor platforms in the global economy, and overviewed strategies to promote sustainable and fair work environments in the MENA region and around the world. Experts also provided insights on how to best address pressing labor issues within the sector, including the inclusion of platform workers in social security schemes, and improving the “weak” regulatory framework of the sector. Read more
Lessons from relief for comprehensive social protection This paper by Laura Alfers and Florian Juergens-Grant considers the implications of COVID-19 relief measures for the building and extension of comprehensive and universal social protection systems. It highlights three key areas emerging from the crisis, which are likely to affect the shape of social protection systems moving forward.
These include the contested meaning of universality, the digitization of social protection systems, and the possibilities for informal worker participation in building a more inclusive social protection. In doing so the paper argues that the terrain of the social protection debate is shifting—it is increasingly uncontroversial that universal social protection is needed and that the state must play a role. Read more
The right to health ranked first among fundamental rights these past few years after COVID-19 caused severe economic and social repercussions worldwide. These repercussions affected the right to work and education. They highlighted the core deficiencies of health, education, and social protection systems and governments' inability to provide for their citizens basic services that are proper and fair. Hence, The Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) took a significant interest in the right to health, adopting it as the topic for the 6th edition of its Arab Watch Report in an attempt to critically analyze health policies, or rather health systems, in both their institutional and structural dimensions on the one hand and their policy dimensions on the other. Read more
Podcast. International labour standards - Conventions, Recommendations and Protocols - are at the heart of the ILO’s mandate. They play an essential role in creating a level playing field for business and combatting the exploitation of workers. But the global economy is changing faster than ever, and changes in technology, migration and demographics are constantly creating new challenges for regulators. In addition, different countries, with different levels of development, economic systems and cultures, have a wide range of priorities and requirements. So how are international labour standards created and kept fit for purpose. What topics might they need to address next? Listen to the podcast
A centrepiece of this year’s International Labour Conference (ILC) at the ILO was the World of Work Summit: Social Justice for All, led by the ILO Director General Gilbert F. Houngbo, where governments, as well as union and employer representatives, expressed strong support to establish a Global Coalition for Social Justice. Read more
This question-and-answer document by Development Pathways and Human Rights Watch examines the human right to social security, and how universal social security can help protect people from economic shocks and other emerging threats, including climate-related hazards, while building just societies where all rights are realized. It also explains why policymakers should orient their policies toward establishing universal social security systems and avoid narrowly means-tested programs. Read more
Eight Organizations of People with Disabilities (OPDs) in Lebanon, in partnership with the ILO, joined forces to call on national and international, governmental and non-governmental stakeholders to proactively involve OPDs in policymaking and programming related to Social Protection. Read more
The report by Human Rights Watch details how an algorithm developed by the Jordanian government and the World Bank profiles and ranks the income and well-being of Jordanian families to determine who should receive cash assistance. The research funds that this form of algorithmic decision-making is depriving many people of their right to social security even as they go hungry, fall behind on rent, and take on crippling debt. Despite the exclusionary effects of this approach, the World Bank is financing similarly automated systems in seven other countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Sixty countries in total have adopted this technology, in part because of the Bank’s promotion of poverty targeting. Read more
Amnesty International is today calling for social security to be made available to everyone worldwide after a series of crises exposed huge gaps in state support and protection systems, leaving hundreds of millions facing hunger or trapped in a cycle of poverty and deprivation.
To guarantee the right to social security, Amnesty International supports the establishment of an internationally administered Global Fund for Social Protection, a concept supported by UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, the UN Secretary-General and the ILO.
The creation of a fund would offer states technical and financial support to provide social security and would aim to build the capacity of national social protection systems to scale up their responses in times of crisis. Read more
By Sarina D. Kidd
This working paper highlights how the international financial institutions (IFIs) shape social security policy in the MENA region.
The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are two of the most significant IFIs in the MENA region. They have played a critical role in influencing social security policy. Read more
As part of the Human Rights 75 Initiative, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has launched a call for submissions for short stories on social protection.
How has your life, or the lives of those you know, been positively changed by social security laws, policies, measures or practices? Share your experience and be part of our Short Stories on Social Protection call!
Send a brief description by 31 July 2023 to ohchr-socialprotectionHR75@un.org. Your contribution, if selected, will be included as part of the Human Rights 75 spotlight in September. Read more
The International symposium "Improving synergies between social protection & public finance management" co-hosted by the ILO, UNICEF, the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors, and the European Union brought together policymakers, social partners, civil society, and development partners from 24 countries to discuss innovative practices and strategies for building sustainable and rights-based social protection.
Many members of the GCSPF participated in the Symposium online, whereas Uzziel Twagilimana (WSM) and Beatrice Di Padua (ITUC) attended physically. As representatives of the GCSPF, Uzziel Twagilimana moderated the Opening and Panel 1: “Extending social protection to all” and Beatrice di Padua spoke at Panel 5: “Joining forces for universal and sustainable social protection and closing remarks”. Read more
Virtual event at the HLPF. The Age-Friendly Cities approach offers a framework to provide adequate and affordable housing, basic services as well as to upgrade slums. Spearheaded by the World Health Organization, approximately 1500 cities and communities already use these principles. The right to live in safety and dignity is at the heart of Age-Friendly Cities.
July 13, 2023 - 13 - 14:30 NY Time. Register here. Read more
This hybrid event at the HLPF will address the role of consciousness in establishing our post pandemic world and in SDG fulfillment with expert speakers and interactive processes that will explore actionable operationalization of the emergent unitive perspective.
Friday, July 14, 11:30am-12:30pm EDT Register here
Virtual event at the HLPF Halfway there, nowhere near in the ECE Region. Taking stock at the mid-term of the 2030 Agenda.
July 17, 2023 - 8 - 9:30 am EST. Register here
Austerity has made millions vulnerable. How can we fund social protection? Listen to international experts in this webinar.
Date: 13 July, Thursday - Time: 11am CET
Speakers: Isabel Ortiz (Director, Global Social Justice Program at Joseph Stiglitz's Initiative for Policy Dialogue) and Professor Ravi Srivastava (Director center for Employment IHD, Delhi) and Rekson Silaban (Employment BPJS Supervisory Board, Indonesia)
Moderators: Tabitha Spence and Chandan Kumar - Organized by AEPF Social Justice cluster Register here
As part of the Human Rights 75 Initiative, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has launched a call for submissions for short stories on social protection.
How has your life, or the lives of those you know, been positively changed by social security laws, policies, measures or practices? Share your experience and be part of our Short Stories on Social Protection call!
Send a brief description by 31 July 2023 to ohchr-socialprotectionHR75@un.org. Your contribution, if selected, will be included as part of the Human Rights 75 spotlight in September. Read more
Winifred Doherty, Main NGO Representative, made an oral statement at the General Assembly: Informal Consultations on the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, mandated by the Addis Ababa Action, on May 22, 2023 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The International symposium "Improving synergies between social protection & public finance management" co-hosted by the ILO, UNICEF, the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors, and the European Union will take place on 27 - 28 June, 2023 - 13.30 – 17.30 CEST at the ILO Headquarters, Geneva and Online. Interpretation will be provided in English, French and Spanish. Read more
By Laura Alfers and Florian Juergens-Grant, WIEGO
Global frameworks and the widely recognized importance of social protection during the COVID-19 crisis have generated momentum toward the realization of Universal Social Protection (USP). Despite these frameworks and important improvements over the last few years, substantive coverage gaps remain, especially for the world’s two billion workers in informal employment who remain largely excluded from social protection. Read more
Protecting lives and livelihoods in times of crisis. The Global Forum will provide an opportunity for policymakers, practitioners and social protection experts to jointly examine and discuss the scope and potential of Adaptive Social Protection (ASP) to foster resilience and promote adaptation. Focused on ASP’s four building blocks – programmes, data and information systems, finances and partnerships – the Forum aims to strengthen alliances for the expansion of social protection to more people around the globe.
13-15 June 2023 in Berlin. OnlineRead more
Özlem Onaran* and Cem Oyvat, ITUC.
The paper demonstrates the employmentcreation potential of renewable energy, public transport, other infrastructure, and the care economy. In doing so, it highlights the potential of strengthened policies to facilitate a just transition to a zero-carbon economy. In addition, the gendered employment effects of the three types of public spending are considered, and the importance of a policy mix to ensure that a just transition is gender equitable is highlighted. The paper further calculates the associated fiscal multipliers of public spending in care, the green economy, and infrastructure based on the estimated effects on GDP. Read more
As part of the Human Rights 75 Initiative, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has launched a call for submissions for short stories on social protection.
How has your life, or the lives of those you know, been positively changed by social security laws, policies, measures or practices? Share your experience and be part of our Short Stories on Social Protection call!
Send a brief description by 31 July 2023 to ohchr-socialprotectionHR75@un.org. Your contribution, if selected, will be included as part of the Human Rights 75 spotlight in September. Read more
The Centre for Social Sciences Research & Action (CeSSRA, Cyprus, Lebanon) is an action-oriented research centre, with the motto "social sciences for change". It is a multidisciplinary space creating synergies and bridging between the scientific, practitioner, and policy spheres. The Centre aims to foster social change through innovative uses of social sciences digital technologies, and publication and exchange of knowledge. The CeSSRA has published extensively on social protection in the region, notably several reports, papers, infographics, and timelines focusing on Jordan, Tunisia, and Lebanon, and regularly organizes webinars and round table discussions, as well as participates to various fora to discuss these issues. Read more
L’AFEMA-RDC c'est une organisation chrétienne pour le développement et la défense des droits de la femme et de l’enfant en RDC. L’idée fondamentale de l’AFEMA-RDC c’est le développement est très complexe, car on n’est peut pas développer un pays sur base de discriminations des genres, et pourtant aux yeux de nos cultures, coutumes voir même nos lois traitent la femme et l’enfant avec beaucoup de méfiance. Read more
The GCSPF acknowledges recent initiatives taken by the ILO, World Bank, and other development cooperation partners to direct greater international financing towards supporting social protection programs in the context of the ILO Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection.
Such efforts could be a first step towards the creation of an international financing mechanism on social protection, or Global Social Protection Fund, long-promoted by the GCSPF as necessary in order to mobilise and coordinate international financial assistance in order to truly support the development of universal social protection systems, particularly in the global south.
The GCSPF wishes to underline some key specific criteria that need to be met by any kind of international financing mechanism that would be developed. Read more
The Social Policy Initiative (SPI) Virtual Webinar "Global Social Security and its Links to Active Labour Market Policies in a Post-COVID World" will take place on May 23, 2023 at 11:00am – 12:30pm (SAST).
SPI is launching an international comparision of social security initiatives and measures developed by countries in response to Covid-19. Speakers: Nicola Yon (NSSA), Laura Alfers (WIEGO), Gunnel Axelsson Nyacander (ACT Church of Sweden).
The SP&PFM Programme and the Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (USP2030) hosted an online technical exchange on extending social protection to workers in the informal economy.
The event featured interactions between practitioners and experts on policy orientations, lessons learned and country experiences in designing strategies and lifting barriers to extend coverage to the 2 billion workers currently in informal employment. Read more - Watch the video
Underinvestment and structural exclusions in social protection have never been more evident than during the COVID-19 pandemic. A challenge is the belief that employer contributions to the financing of social protection are not possible in the informal economy.
Taking inspiration from India’s long experience with welfare boards, which provide social protection for self-employed workers and are generally financed by economic actors who benefit from their labour, informal workers’ organizations in Pune are exploring innovative approaches to forging relationships with entities outside the typical frameworks of employment to gain additional financing for social protection.
This report by Poornima Chikarmane was published by WIEGO. Read more
The Southern African Social Protection Experts' Network in collaboration with the University of Mauritius and the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity and other cooperating partners, will be hosting the 2023 International Annual SASPEN Conference themed, "A Decade of Social Protection with SASPEN: Taking Stock to Inform Social Protection Systems' Strengthening in the SADC. The conference will be held in Mauritius from 24 - 26 October, 2023. SASPEN invites abstract submissions and the deadline is 30 June, 2023. Read more
Aid targeted at supporting social protection has historically captured a very small fraction (about 2 per cent) of total global aid budgets, although in absolute terms they increased by approximately 60 per cent between 1995–99 and 2015–19. This EBA Report (by Miguel Niño-Zarazúa, Ana Horigoshi, Alma Santillán Hernández and Ernesto Tiburcio) demonstrates that, while international aid has contributed to the expansion of social safety net programmes in poor countries, the share of aid that is targeted towards social protection has decreased globally. Furthermore, it has not always been allocated to countries with the greatest needs. Read more
The IEJ is a progressive think tank based in South Africa that provides rigorous economic analysis designed to arm policy-makers and the public with progressive policy options to combat the scourge of poverty, underdevelopment, and inequality in South Africa, the region and the continent. Read more
LUNACOP aims to create a more just society in which the rights of children and young people are fully respected. It works through community sensitization, advocacy, capacity-building and socio-economic support to reach its objectives. LUNACOP was founded in 2005 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Read more
The International Monetary Fund has said that it protects spending on education, health and social protection from cuts in its loan programmes through social spending floors. These measures are a welcome step forward, but are they effective?
New analysis by Oxfam finds that the IMF’s ‘Social Spending Floors’ —targets designed to help borrowing governments protect minimum levels of social spending— are proving largely powerless against its own austerity policies that instead force countries to cut public funding.
They are little more than a fig leaf for harmful austerity, which is driving inequality, poverty and suffering. Read more
In 2021, WIEGO has launched the project “Challenging the global orthodoxies which undermine Universal Social Protection”. In a nutshell, the project aimed to examine some of the dominant ideas in the field of social protection that were hindering the concrete inclusion of informal workers in these schemes. And now Florian Juergens-Grant, the coordinator of this project, talks about the main findings of this project, to unpack how these dominant ideas operate and to bring some cases where alternatives have emerged to challenge the premises of these ideas. Listen to the Podcast
The learning journey consisted of an introductory Sub-regional conference; two Workshops for an in-depth discussion on social protection issues relevant to the sub-region; a Training course on Advocacy and communication for social protection; and Individual e-coaching sessions. The March 23, 2023 Closing conference aimed to re-connect representatives from governments, employers, workers and civil society organizations, within and between countries, thus stimulating peer-to-peer learning and provided highlights from the participants’ experiences during the learning journey. The final conference of the 22/23 East Africa Journey on Social Protection organised by the ILO/ITC for USP 2030 was held in March, and featured excellent panellists - including Priscilla Gavi, chair of the Africa Platform on the Africa Union Protocol of Social Protection. Watch the recording
Argentina’s draft Packaging Bill requires packaging-producing companies to directly contribute to the financing of inclusive recycling systems, which should ensure improved working conditions and access to some social protections for informal waste pickers. The principle of packaging-producing companies directly financing improved working conditions and social protection for self-employed informal waste pickers can set an important precedent in the recognition of firms’ responsibility to ensure decent working conditions and social protection for workers in their value chain, even in the absence of formal employment relationships. This case study is a collaboration among WIEGO, the Federación Argentina de Cartoneros, Carreros y Recicladores (FACCyR) of the Unión de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de la Economía Popular (UTEP), and the Observatorio de Coyuntura Económica y Políticas Públicas, an Argentinian think tank. Read more
On 23 January 2023, the ITUC and WSM’s INSP!R Network organised a meeting that brought together trade unions and civil society organisations to discuss their priorities and campaign strategies for financing universal social protection at the domestic, regional, and international levels. Read more
The ILO will publish the next issue of the World Social Protection Report (WSPR) in 2024. Your feedback on previous issues of the report will help them to improve it further, promote a deeper understanding of developments and trends and better support the needs of #socialprotection practitioners and advocates.
Please take their survey and helps them improve the report at http://bit.ly/3K3OiAn
The video of the Webinar: “Be an expert universal social security advocate” is now online. The webinar was moderated by Lena Simet, Senior Researcher and Advocate, Human Rights Watch. Stephen Kidd, CEO, Development Pathways, and Holly Seglah, Social Protection Officer, Development Pathways were the speakers. Richard Obiga (Programme Officer, Social Protection Secretariat, Kenya) and David Tumwesigye (Global Advocacy Manager, Save the Children International) shared their comments and there was a rich discussion with the audience.
The webinar was co-organised by Development Pathways and Act Church of Sweden and the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) and was held on March 21st, 2023. Watch the video
The discussion paper “Should Global Public Investment (GPI) finance social protection?” proposes applying a new approach to international cooperation called ‘Global Public Investment’ to help design the proposed global fund for universal social protection. The proposed approach is applicable to this and other global social goods and global public goods.
The paper argues there is a solid case for contribution by all to a social protection global fund that strengthens ownership and commitment and ensures sustainable financing. As such, GPI offers a strong and appropriate alternative to the current mode of thinking about development cooperation.
This discussion paper is a collaboration between Martha Bekele (Development Initiatives), Jonathan Glennie (Global Nation) and Barry Herman (Social Justice in Global Development). Read more
Development Pathways and Act Church of Sweden have presented a new report, or rather a guide for advocators: Advocating for universal social security: how to win hearts and minds(pdf format).
The document builds on evidence presented in earlier research, and suggests how advocacy for universal social security can be carried out in the most effective way: the words and arguments to use and who to approach. Read more
WIEGO worked with an outstanding group of Mexican economists and policy makers, Enrique Seira, Isaac Meza, Eduardo González-Pier and Eduardo Alcaraz Prous, who revisited the question: Did Mexico’s Seguro Popular universal health coverage programme really reduce formal jobs?
This study aims to contribute to a more nuanced conversation on whether or not social protection programmes generate informality. Another, probably more important question, is whether small incentives effects, if they do exist, matter at all when compared to the well-documented benefits of social protection for workers in informal employment, as well as the human right to social protection. Read the publication
The ILO Development Partners Meeting, organised by the ILO, brings together governments, social partners, and major development donors, to look at progress made under the ILO’s Global Flagship Programme on Building Social Protection Floors for All, which provides technical assistance and financial support to countries for the development and extension of social protection systems.
At the opening, ITUC Deputy President Antonio Lisboa highlighted that extending social protection is a key priority for the labour movement, as more than half of the world’s population lacks any form of protection.
The global labour movement calls for greater international coordination in financing through: The establishment of a Global Social Protection Fund. A substantial increase in the share of overseas development aid allocated to social protection to at least 7% by 2030. Assistance that goes beyond technical support to countries. In order to develop adequate, sustainable social protection systems in the long term, development partners must provide financial assistance to states themselves, as key actors for implementation and extension of national social protection systems. Read more
Civil Society Call for a Global Fund for Social Protection
Over 200 civil society organizations and trade unions unite to call for a Global Fund for Social Protection to protect the most vulnerable during COVID-19 and beyond.
The programme Improving Synergies Between Social Protection and Public Finance Management provides medium-term support to multiple countries aiming to strengthen their social protection systems at a national level and ensure sustainable financing. The programme aims to support countries in their efforts towards achieving universal social protection coverage.
This initiative is implemented jointly by the ILO, Unicef, and the GCSPF.
