The webinar was moderated by Ms Jasmina PAPA, Social Protection Specialist of the ILO DWT/CO Moscow and attended by 60 participants representing governmental institutions, employers’ and workers’ organizations.

As an introduction into substance of the topic of the Webinar, Ms Jasmina Papa reminded that ILO adopted Four Pillars Action Framework to address COVID-19 based on International Labour Standards: Pillar 1. stimulating the economy and employment; Pillar 2: supporting jobs, enterprises and incomes; Pillar 3: protecting workers in the workplace; and Pillar 4 : relaying on social dialogue for solutions. The interconnectedness between four pillars is a necessary condition when adjusting existing social protection schemes or designing new schemes.

Mr Sergio Velasco, Social Security Economist, SOCPRO, ILO Geneva, gave an overview of the most common social protection measures introduced worldwide and introduced Rapid Social Protection Calculator for COVID-19 (available in the Russian language upon request). Ms Valeria Nesterenko, Data Officer on Social Protection, SOC/PFACTS, ILO Geneva presented Social Protection Monitor on COVID -19.

The ILO experts highlighted that between 1 February and 19 May 2020, 178 countries and territories implemented 1002 social protection measures in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Among the most common measures are those enabling access to health care; paid sick leave; protection against and during unemployment; support to older people and persons with disabilities; and extension of social assistance. A notable number of countries extending the coverage of existing programmes, including to workers in the informal economy, and removing various obligations and conditions to facilitate access to schemes.

The presentations were followed by a Q&A session and country presentations.

Ms Adiba Nuruddinova, Head of Social Policy Department of the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr Rustem Sagizbaev, from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kazakhstan and Mr.Namig Huseynov, Head of Analytical research department on cultural and social problems of workers of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan presented policy measures introduced, challenges and achievements in their countries.

Three more webinars will follow addressing topics such as extension of social security to workers in informal economy; rapid tool to assess the situation of workers in informal economy and a review of policy responses in the sub-region.

• PowerPoint presentation "Responses to the crisis caused by COVID 19 in the area of social protection: country responses and policy considerations"
• Recorded video of the Webinar "Responses to the crisis caused by COVID 19 in the area of social protection: country responses and policy considerations"