An assessment of the social protection needs and gaps for workers in informal employment in Myanmar

This report provides analyses of policy gaps and barriers to access social protections to workers in informal employment in Myanmar. This paper also provides recommendations for policy makers to improve access to social insurance, health protection, education-related provisions, as well as social assistance.

Access to basic infrastructure, education, healthcare and social services remains a challenge in both rural and urban Myanmar. Only a few people in Myanmar have access to publicly funded social protection measures. This is not surprising as most of the workforce is in informal employment, which accounts for 85.7 per cent of total employment, one of the highest among ASEAN countries. Most people rely on informal support mechanisms such as personal savings, family members, friends and communities.

This paper summarizes the challenges in accessing social protection and provides recommendation to improve the protection scheme, mainly for those who are working in the informal setting.