Publications

July 2021

  1. Workers’ rights and human rights: Resolving historical tensions through a multi-tiered social security agenda

    02 July 2021

    This article considers the historical development of social security systems; the mixed messaging and false choices in contemporary policy circles; the potential for resolving these tensions through a return to inclusive, lifecycle multi-tiered frameworks; the evolving role of workers’ organizations within this context and some potential axes for action in a post-COVID world.

October 2020

  1. Financing gaps in social protection

    21 October 2020

    Global estimates and strategies for developing countries in light of the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

  2. The Protection We Want: Social Outlook for Asia and the Pacific

    15 October 2020

    The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for well-functioning social protection systems in the region as never before. A new UN report reveals that despite their rapid socioeconomic ascent, most countries in the Asia-Pacific region have weak social protection systems riddled with gaps.

  3. The role of social dialogue in formulating social protection responses to the COVID-19 crisis

    07 October 2020

    Social dialogue is not only essential for informing social protection preparedness prior to shocks, but also for formulating immediate responses in crisis contexts when there is a high risk of social conflict. Social dialogue should be pursued on a continuous basis as countries address the various phases of crises and tackle the particular challenges arising in the medium and long terms.

September 2020

  1. Brief on Financing gaps in social protection

    17 September 2020

    Global estimates and strategies for developing countries in light of the COVID-19 crisis and beyond

May 2020

  1. © P.Lopez/ AFP 2022
    COVID-19 Crisis: Why ILO Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience Recommendation(R205) is relevant for Trade Unions?

    02 May 2020

    ILO Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience Recommendation (R205), which was adopted by the International Labour Conference (ILC) in June 2017, provides detailed guidance to constituents on how best to deal with crisis situations arising from conflicts and disasters.

  2. © Chassenet / BSIP via AFP 2022
    COVID-19 Crisis: Why ILO Social Protection Floors Recommendation (R202) is relevant for Trade Unions?

    02 May 2020

    ILO Recommendation (R202) was adopted by ILO constituents in the aftermath of the 2008 financial and economic crisis, expressing the commitment of member States to ensure that all members of society enjoy at least a basic level of social protection throughout their lives.

  3. © Xavier Donat 2022
    Importance of the effective respect and implementation of ILO’s International Labour Standards in the context of the outbreak of COVID

    02 May 2020

    In situations of crisis, such as the one the world is facing with COVID-19, it is crucial to respect and implement International Labour Standards (ILS) within the framework of the rule of law.

  4. © Stuart Price / UN Photo 2022
    COVID-19 Crisis: Why the ILO Social Security Convention (C102) is relevant for Trade Unions?

    02 May 2020

    ILO Convention (C102) is the only international instrument that establishes worldwide-agreed qualitative and quantitative minimum standards for all nine branches of social security. Why this Convention is relevant for Trade Unions in the context of the COVID-19 Crisis?

February 2020

  1. Social protection systems for all to prevent homelessness and facilitate access to adequate housing

    20 February 2020

    The role of social protection systems in reducing poverty and inequality, preventing homelessness, and facilitating access to adequate housing.

April 2006

  1. Social security for all: Trade union policies

    01 April 2006

    This issue of Labour Education 2006/4 No. 145 focuses on unions and their role in developing social security policies, particularly protecting and reforming national pension systems. Included are several country studies by union activists which describe the reforms, challenges and union campaigns surrounding pension systems in their countries. The context for these country studies and the other articles in this issue is the joint ILO, European Commission and Government of Portugal World Conference“Social protection and inclusion: Converging efforts from a global perspective”, held in Lisbon in October 2006.

April 2000

  1. Social protection: What workers and trade unions should know

    01 April 2000

    Labour Education 2000/4 No. 121: Much has been said about social security, and misconception, exaggeration, preconceived ideas and peremptory judgements are not absent in the talks. Labour Education attempts in this issue to examine the question with sobriety. Social security is too vital an area for millions of people to substitute ideology or profit for experience or common sense.