Social protection

For the ILO, social protection is comprised of a set of strategies that seek to protect workers at their workplaces, whether in the formal or informal economy, against unfair, hazardous and unhealthy working conditions. Social protection also seeks to provide access to health services, a minimum income for people with incomes under the poverty line and support for families with children. It replaces income from work lost through sickness, unemployment maternity, invalidity, loss of breadwinner or old age.

A large number of rural workers live in extremely rudimentary conditions, often without adequate food, water supply or sanitation or access to health care. A vicious circle of poor health, reduced working capacity, low productivity, and shortened life expectancy is a typical outcome unless social interventions address the underlying problems of the sector: irregular and low-quality employment, low pay, and lack of social protection.

For further information about social protection for rural workers, click here.

For information on Strategies and Tools against Social Exclusion and Poverty, click here.