GCSPF e-Newsletter #98 - February 2024

The side event will be held on February 14, 2024 at 1:15 pm to 2:30 pm EST at Conference Room 11, UNHQ, New York. The event will be held during the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD62).
This event is organised by Save the Children International, UNICEF and ILO and co-sponsored by the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF), the Permanent Mission of Luxembourg and USP2030.
Link to participate online: https://unvc.webex.com/unvc/j.php?MTID=m2a0c225f02eac227c16428d745da85be / Webinar number: 2343 658 0587 / Webinar password: CSocD62_14Feb#24 Read more

The conference will draw on research from a multi-year participatory project carried out by the International Movement ATD Fourth World, in collaboration with Oxford University. Their approach combines knowledge from action, academic research, and the life experiences of those who face poverty, to provide new insights about the multidimensional nature of poverty and the IDEEP tool that transforms the findings of this research into action. Experts from the World Bank and the IMF, as well as academic researchers and practitioners, will provide comments and contribute their own perspectives. Conference participants will discuss how to make further progress in poverty measurement, policy, training, and action.
Date: February 15, 2024 / Time: 9:00 am – 5 pm (eastern time zone USA) / Where: World Bank HQ, Washington, D.C. and online Registration form Read more

Hybrid Workshop at the WSF2024. The workshop starts with a thematic panel discussion then follows up with more specific discussions to highlight the social protection gap and to promote the voice of workers, trade unions, NGOs and activists around the world demanding for universal, comprehensive, inclusive and just social protection.
February 17th. The link for registration for online participation: https://bit.ly/UniversalSocialProtection-WSF2024. Interpretation in English - Nepali, Hindi, Bangali, Thai and Bahasa. Read more

The virtual side event will be held on February 21, 2024 (Wednesday), from 16.30 – 17.45 Bangkok time (GMT+7) during the 11th Asia Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development (APFSD). The side event will discuss the scope of Universal Social Protection Floors to address poverty, hunger, inequality and adapt to climate change. Registration form Read more

WIEGO's Policy Brief No 31 explores the experiences of self-employed workers with Article 40 of Thailand’s Social Security Fund on the basis of focus group discussions with home-based workers, street vendors and motorcycle taxi drivers in Bangkok.
Most participants reported the compensation for lack of income when sick or injured as their primary motivation in joining SSF Article 40. This was the most common benefit claimed, and the respondents made it clear how relevant the benefit is for self-employed workers. Ensuring income security in older age also was regarded as important. Read more

Webinar Follow-up and new report. This webinar challenges the standard argument that “universal social security is simply not affordable in poor countries”. It is argued that it is financially feasible to introduce universal old age pensions, as well as child and disability benefits, in low- and middle-income countries. Further, it is shown that 52 such countries already have introduced at least one of these benefits, in total 88 universal benefits.
If you missed the live session, you can access the slide presentation and the webinar's recording, as well as the  reports presented during the webinar:
1. An affordable and feasible pathway to universal security (July 2023)
2. Taking stock of progress: A compilation of universal or benefit-tested social security programmes in low- and middle-income countries (Feb 2024)

The 2nd Euro-Mediterranean Conference took place on January in Amman, with participants discussing the launch of the Euro-Med Agenda by the end of this year to address the underlying causes of discrimination against people with disabilities and set the preconditions for more inclusive policy responses.
According to the First Situational Assessment of the Social and Economic Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the Euro-Mediterranean Region, people with disabilities are among the most marginalised in the region, an issue that is often aggravated by factors including unemployment, weak social protection mechanisms, gender inequality and the impacts of climate change. Up to 90% of people with disabilities are unemployed, a phenomenon that disproportionately affects women. Read more

The ILO report reveals a complex global employment scenario. It forecasts a slight increase in global unemployment in 2024, signalling emerging labour market challenges. The report highlights disparities between high and low-income countries, noting higher unemployment and poverty rates in lower-income nations. It also points out that a significant portion of the global workforce remains in informal employment.
Key concerns include worsening income inequality and the impact of inflation on real incomes, especially in G20 countries. The report underscores the need for policy interventions focused on social justice to ensure a fair and sustainable global economic recovery. Read more