Social protection

The 9 branches of social security

• Health protection

  The ILO promotes a rights-based approach to social health protection, with the objective of ensuring effective access to quality health care without hardship and impoverishment. This rights-based approach is rooted in the body of human rights and ILO standards which represent a global consensus to guide the development of social health protection systems.

  Learn more on the social health protection thematic page of the ILO Social Protection Platform.

• Sickness benefits (earnings replacement)

  Sickness benefits provide income security in case of illness. They promote the realization of the human rights to health and to social security, while supporting public health and the prevention of poverty.

• Unemployment benefits

  Unemployment protection is essential to ensure individuals enjoy income security when they lose earnings due to the inability to obtain suitable employment and, when linked with active labour market policies (ALMPs) can also promote full and productive employment.

  Learn more on the unemployment protection thematic page of the ILO Social Protection Platform.

• Old-age pensions

  Old-age pensions are essential for ensuring the income security of older persons, and allow for the enjoyment of a life in dignity among the elderly, often following a lifetime of work.

  Learn more on the old-age pensions thematic page of the ILO Social Protection Platform.

• Employment injury benefits

  Enterprises of all types have the responsibility to mitigate the risk and effects of workplace injuries and occupational diseases. Employment injury protection in case of workplace accidents or illnesses is vital to preserving workers' rights and business continuity.

• Family and child benefits

  Child benefits are a critical form of social protection, intended to promote the long-term well-being of children. Delivered as cash or tax credits, child benefits are essential for reducing poverty as well as accessing healthcare, nutrition, quality education, water and sanitation. In addition, these benefits support socio-economic development, particularly in times of crisis.

• Maternity benefits

  Safeguarding the health of expectant and nursing mothers and protecting them from job discrimination is a precondition for achieving genuine equality of opportunity and treatment for men and women at work and enabling workers to raise families in conditions of security.

• Disability benefits

  All types of protection interventions should ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities, with particular emphasis on removing barriers and avoiding adverse effects. Additionally, disability-specific programmes can deliver the support and benefits specifically required by persons with disabilities that are not provided by mainstream programmes.

  Learn more on the disability-inclusive social protection systems thematic page of the ILO Social Protection Platform.

• Survivors' benefits

  Survivors' benefits provide financing protection for widows and widowers, as well as dependent children, in case of the death of family breadwinner.