Senegal - New Systems
Micro-finance institutions can make a significant contribution to the extension of social protection. This is the reason why STEP-Senegal has supported the setting up of a healthcare mutual organization within MECIB (Mutuelle d’Epargne et de Crédit de Icotaf Boubess).
After the first successful experience, STEP in Senegal has decided to support the Union of Mutual organizations in partnership for the mobilization of savings and credit in Senegal (PAMECAS) to diffuse health insurance throughout its 200.000 members and their families.
Micro-insurance schemes are important actors in the extension of social protection; however, other systems have to be developed to meet the needs of the State, social partners and socio-economic organizations. In this context, and notably after the launch of the ILO Campaign for the extension of social security and coverage for all, new support requests are coming from national actors.
- On one hand, the Senegalese government is engaged to support through Agro-Sylvo-Partoral Orientation Law (LOASP) the setting up of a social protection regime for workers of concerned sectors. More information
- On the other hand, labor unions representing workers of the transport sector have called upon the State for the setting up of a social protection scheme. More information
Both experiences constitute a priority for STEP programme in Senegal. STEP supports different concerned sectors (ministry of labour, ministry of agriculture, ministry of health, labour unions agencies, agricultural organization federative structures) to carry out the feasibility study and the setting up of these social protection schemes.
Both projects represent a major development in the extension of social protection likely to make a progress in coverage, national actors’ implication, contractual agreements policies and technical management mechanisms. Actually, ongoing studies show that these experiences are included in social insurance and need to apply new organization, functioning and financing modalities.
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