Comparative study on sickness benefits to support recommendations for Angola

The National Institute of Social Security of Angola (INSS) is examining the possibility of introducing three benefits that are not yet covered by its social protection system: sickness benefits, disability benefits (Presidential Decree (PD) No. 15/25 of 29 January established only the absolute invalidity benefit) and unemployment benefits.

The present report focuses on sickness benefits.

To support this initiative, the ILO, through the European Union–funded project “Expanding Social Security to Support the Formalization of the Angolan Economy” (ESSAFE Angola), undertook a comparative study. The purpose of the study is to examine good practices, in light of international social security standards, and to identify lessons learned in countries with comparable socio-economic contexts.

The comparative study on sickness benefits aims to support policy recommendations for Angola by:

• identifying countries with social protection systems and socio-economic contexts similar to those of Angola – namely Brazil, Cabo Verde, Mozambique, Portugal and Thailand – and analysing the design, structure and effectiveness of their sickness benefits in relation to the requirements of international social security standards;
• discussing the feasibility and relevance of different policy options and implementation strategies for Angola; and
• presenting recommendations on the feasibility, relevance and key design features of sickness benefits in the Angolan socio-economic context.