Features

2012

1. 

   Article

   China’s latest revolution: Basic health care for all

   03 September 2012

   On 6 April 2009, China unveiled an action plan for a radical and ambitious health-care reform aimed at attaining universal health insurance coverage by 2020. Three years later, the country has almost reached this goal. What’s the secret behind the success?

2. 

   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.

2. 

   Feature story

   BRICS countries lead the way in social security extension

   15 June 2011

   High-level representatives of five emerging countries that represent 40 percent of the world’s population and nearly 30 percent of its surface area told delegates at the annual ILO conference that the extension of social security is an essential investment in sustainable social and economic development and one that is affordable where there is the necessary political will.

3. 

   Feature story

   Discussions on social security for all get under way

   07 June 2011

   The 100th International Labour Conference has started discussions on ways to establish social security for all as a powerful and affordable tool to promote economic growth, reduce poverty and mitigate the impact of crises. Yet, only about 20 percent of the world’s working age population has access to comprehensive social security systems, according to a new conference report, entitled “Social Security for Social Justice and a fair Globalization”.

4. 

   Feature story

   Social security for social justice and a fair globalization: Questions and answers

   03 June 2011

   Over the past several years, the ILO has adopted a number of measures designed to promote social security coverage for the vast majority of the world’s workers who currently lack coverage. Yet, in a world marked by rapidly spreading financial and economic fluctuations, the capacity of individuals to cope alone with economic risks is even more limited than before. It is in this context that the 100th Session of the ILC in June 2011 will discuss the strategic objective of social protection and specifically focus on social security.

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. 

   Social security

   Social security for all, the Brazilian way

   23 September 2009

   Brazil has been at the fore front of social security protection and promotion in Latin American over the past years. Its social protection programmes are widely regarded both for their scope and innovation. The Brazilian Deputy Minister for Social Security, Carlos Eduardo Gabas, was recently elected President of a Tripartite Meeting of Experts on Strategies for the Extension of Social Security Coverage at the ILO and discussed Brazil’s experience in this field with ILO On-line.

2. 

   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.