ILO is a specialized agency of the United Nations
Social protection
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Access to adequate social protection is recognized by International labour standards and the UN as a basic right . It is also widely considered to be instrumental in promoting human welfare and social consensus on a broad scale, and to be conducive to and indispensable for fair growth, social stability and economic performance, contributing to competitiveness
Today, only 20 per cent of the world’s population has adequate social security coverage, and more than half lack any coverage at all. They face dangers in the workplace and poor or non-existent pension and health insurance coverage. The situation reflects levels of economic development, with fewer than 10 per cent of workers in least-developed countries covered by social security. In middle-income countries, coverage ranges from 20 to 60 per cent, while in most industrial nations, it is close to 100 per cent.
Social Protection is one of the four strategic objectives of the Decent Work agenda that define the core work of the ILO. Since its creation in 1919, ILO has actively promoted policies and provided its Member States with tools and assistance aimed at improving and expanding the coverage of social protection to all groups in society and to improving working conditions and safety at work.
The ILO has set out three main objectives reflecting the three major dimensions of social protection:
Today, only 20 per cent of the world’s population has adequate social security coverage, and more than half lack any coverage at all. They face dangers in the workplace and poor or non-existent pension and health insurance coverage. The situation reflects levels of economic development, with fewer than 10 per cent of workers in least-developed countries covered by social security. In middle-income countries, coverage ranges from 20 to 60 per cent, while in most industrial nations, it is close to 100 per cent.
Social Protection is one of the four strategic objectives of the Decent Work agenda that define the core work of the ILO. Since its creation in 1919, ILO has actively promoted policies and provided its Member States with tools and assistance aimed at improving and expanding the coverage of social protection to all groups in society and to improving working conditions and safety at work.
The ILO has set out three main objectives reflecting the three major dimensions of social protection:
- Extending the coverage and effectiveness of social security schemes
- Promoting labour protection , which comprises decent conditions of work, including wages, working time and occupational safety and health, essential components of decent work
- Working through dedicated programmes and activities to protect such vulnerable groups as migrant workers and their families; and workers in the informal economy. Moreover, the world of work's full potential will be used to respond to the AIDS pandemic, focusing on enhancing tripartite constituents' capacity
The Social Protection Floor Initiative
Recognizing the importance of ensuring social protection for all, the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (UNCEB) adopted, in April 2009, the Social Protection Floor Initiative, as one of the nine UN joint initiatives to cope with the effects of the economic crisis. This initiative is co-led by the International Labour Office and the World Health Organization and involves a group of 17 collaborating agencies, including United Nations agencies and international financial institutions.The Social Protection Floor approach promotes access to essential social security transfers and social services in the areas of health, water and sanitation, education, food, housing, life and asset-savings information. It emphasizes the need to implement comprehensive, coherent and coordinated social protection and employment policies to guarantee services and social transfers across the life cycle, paying particular attention to the vulnerable groups.
Latest
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The 2012 World Report on Child Labour: Economic vulnerability, social protection and child labour
15 October 2012
How can we reduce child labour in the less favourable circumstances of a global economic slowdown?
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Can Europe still afford health and long-term care for its elderly?
11 May 2012
Ageing is a slow-burning fuse with a strong impact both on public expenditures and the social mood, as shown by this week’s strike in the UK over pensions. The situation is particularly serious in terms of health and long-term care. Even more alarming is the financial burden on households looking after the elderly. Interview with Ms. Xenia Scheil-Adlung, Health Policy Coordinator at the ILO.
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ILO head says social protection is key for crisis-recovery
09 May 2012
The head of the ILO says social protection measures are essential in battling the economic crisis as they create demand, while austerity, on the other hand, is taking a heavy toll.
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Find out more from
Departments and programmes
- ILO Social protection sector
- Social Security Department (SECSOC)
- Labour Protection Department (PROTRAV)
- International Programme on Safety and Health at Work and the Environment (SAFEWORK)
- Conditions of Work and Employment Programme (TRAVAIL)
- The International Migration Programme (MIGRANT)
- The Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work (ILO/AIDS)
- Social Protection Library/Documentation centre