The legal foundation

Social security is a basic human right enshrined in major international instruments such as:

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by UN General Assembly resolution 217A (III) of 10 December 1948;
• The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, adopted by UN General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI) of 16 December 1966; and
• The Declaration of Philadelphia, Annex to the Constitution of the International Labour Organization, adopted by the International Labour Conference, 10 May 1944

It was further reaffirmed as a basic human right and a fundamental means for creating social cohesion by the International Labour Conference in 2001 (Conclusions concerning social security (pdf 502 KB) adopted by the International Labour Conference, 89th session, 2001).

In light of the rights-based approach to the protection of workers privileged by the ILO, the legal advice activities carried out by the Social Security Department are key to the enhancement of social security standards worldwide. These legal advice activities are based on worldwide agreed social security principles and standards as laid down in the up-to-date ILO social security Conventions and in particular in the flagship Convention, which is the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention 1952 (No. 102).

For further information contact by email:
Ursula Kulke