Features

2012

1. 

   Article

   Cape Verde: How social protection can help the elderly

   04 June 2012

   The International Labour Conference is considering adoption of a Recommendation on Social Protection Floors. The ILO is convinced every country can move towards social security for all, and cites the example of impoverished Cape Verde.

2011

1. 

   Feature story

   Inequities in health care access in the European region

   06 October 2011

   The objective of providing universal health coverage is high on the agenda of countries in the broader European region, yet vulnerable groups often do not have full access to health services, according to Dr. Xenia Scheil-Adlung, Health Policy Coordinator at the ILO’s Social Security Department. ILO Online spoke to Dr. Scheil-Adlung, who has published a study looking at the situation in the region, which includes the European Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Central and Eastern Europe.

2010

1. 

   Social protection

   Paid sick leave pays off in times of crisis

   24 June 2010

   Paid sick leave plays a crucial role especially in times of crises where many workers fear dismissal and discrimination when reporting sick. A new ILO study shows that paid sick leave is not only affordable but pays off in terms of health and economic gains for employers, workers and the economy at large. ILO Online spoke with Xenia Scheil-Adlung, co-author of the study and ILO Health Policy Coordinator.

2. 

   ILO-UN Social Protection Floor Initiative

   ILO-UN Social Protection Floor Initiative: The role of social security in crisis response and recovery, and beyond

   16 June 2010

   The crisis has reinforced the perception that the extension of social security should be a high priority. While in many developing countries social security systems were previously considered unaffordable, they are now regarded as important investments to support sustainable economic growth. Furthermore, in times of crisis, social security systems are playing an essential role as economic stabilizers. Interview with Michael Cichon, Director of the ILO’s Social Security Department, about the UN Social Protection Floor Initiative and social security in times of crisis.

2009

1. 

   Publication

   Social protection for all: From large-scale poverty to decent societies

   02 September 2009

   The global recession has increased unemployment and poverty across the world. A new publication "Building decent societies", edited by Peter Townsend, makes the case for the development of comprehensive social security systems in all countries, notwithstanding their levels of wealth, as a measure towards alleviating desperate conditions of poverty, the reversing growing inequality and encouraging economic growth. ILO Online provides questions and answers on social security and our societies today.

2006

1. 

   Article

   Regional Meeting for the Americas 2-5 May: Extending social security in Latin America and the Caribbean

   03 May 2006

   The main problem with social security systems in Latin America and the Caribbean is their limited coverage in terms of the number of workers and family members protected, the range of risks covered and the quality of protection. In some countries, coverage has decreased even further over the past 15 years, according to the report prepared for the ILO Regional Meeting for the Americas. The report sets a global target for governments and the social partners to increase social protection by 20 per cent of the region's total population between 2006 and 2015. ILO Online spoke with Michael Cichon, head of the ILO's Social Security Department.