Timor-Leste develops a National Strategy for Social Protection

The government of Timor-Leste, with support from the ILO, continues to strengthen its social protection by developing a National Strategy for Social Protection to reduce poverty and social vulnerability.

News | Dili, Timor-Leste | 03 September 2021
A rural family in Timor-Leste will be more protected with the National Strategy for Social Protection
The Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) of Timor-Leste, with support from the ILO, presented the National Strategy for Social Protection (NSSP) 2021-2030 at the joint international seminar titled “General Basis of Social Protection: Future Perspectives and International Experiences” in early August. The seminar also marked beginning of the process of definition of the social protection basic law for Timor-Leste.

Officially opened by the Minister of SSI, H.E Armanda Berta dos Santos the seminar aimed to improve knowledge and understanding of relevant stakeholders regarding general bases, principles, objectives and structure of the social protection system in Timor-Leste. The seminar also provided a venue for knowledge- and experience-sharing from other countries like Portugal, Angola, Cape Verde and Indonesia.

The NSSP is dedicated to the reinforcement of social protection programmes aimed at reducing poverty and social vulnerability by 2030. The new social security system offer protection for old age, death, disability and maternity/paternity to more than 70,000 workers registered in the public and private sectors, while covering over 1,000 employers.

The launch of National Strategy for Social Protection
The development of the NSSP was also guided by the ILO Convention No. 102 on Social Security (Minimum Standards) and Recommendation No. 202 on Social Protection Floors. It also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular Target 1.3 on the implementation of national social protection system.

In addition, the NSSP takes into account gender equality by focusing on the most vulnerable groups, including women, and pays attention to the responses to natural disasters that are connected to climate change and environmental concerns.

The seminar was supported by the ILO through its Strengthening of the Social Protection Systems of the PALOPs and East Timor (ILO’s ACTION/Portugal) Project. Funded by Government of Portugal, the ACTION/Portugal project aims to extend coverage of social protection systems. The ILO provides direct technical assistance to support the government of Timor-Leste in strengthening the social protection policy framework, strategy, programmes and delivery systems.