ILO holds tripartite workshop on social security convention No.102

As the year 2030 draws closer, it is becoming even more imperative for countries to strengthen social protection systems and widen coverage given the salient role of social protection in ending global poverty.
To do this however requires that countries develop strong social protection systems that do not only guarantee sustainable benefits for all citizens but also ensure universal coverage.

In this regard the International Labour Organization (ILO) with financial support from the Government of Ireland and the United Nations Joint Program for Social Protection hosted a three-day tripartite training workshop on social security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No.102) intended to initiate the campaign for ratification of the convention.
The training was held from 25 to 27 June 2024 at Chisamba’s Safari Protea Hotel, bringing together government officials, employers, and workers and civil society organisations from Zambia and Malawi.
A joint training between Malawi and Zambia was preferred for specific reasons: social protection programs in both countries are supported by the Government of Ireland.
Bringing the two countries together was an opportunity for knowledge sharing. Secondly, the meeting was tripartite in nature and therefore provided a platform for workers and employers from the two countries to interact and exchange ideas and learn from each other. Lastly, all the two countries have not ratified C102 and therefore needed to brainstorm together and appreciate each country’s context for the ratification campaign processes that lay ahead.
The Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention Number 102 (C102) of 1952 is the flagship of all ILO social security Conventions, as it is the only international instrument, based on basic social security principles, that establishes worldwide-agreed minimum standards for all nine branches of social security: medical care, sickness benefit, unemployment benefit, old-age benefit, employment injury benefit, family benefit, maternity benefit, invalidity benefit, and survivors′ benefit.
Despite being considered as an important tool in extending social security coverage, only 66 countries across the world have ratified the Convention.
Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary Zechariah Luhanga observed that it is important for policymakers, social security administrators and managers, professional, pension supervisors and regulators, among others, to have a good understating of the philosophy, objectives and principles that underpin ILO Convention 102 of 1952 and the associated Recommendations, especially Recommendation 202 of 2012.
Similarly, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary Ms. Angela Kawandami said Convention 102, although not yet ratified by the government, provides Zambia with a rare opportunity to attain the minimum social security standards that the government can afford its citizens based on local social and economic context.
Ms. Kawandami added that her Ministry, which oversees non-contributory schemes, was in the process of reviewing the existing National Social Protection Policy to have a new one which will take a life cycle approach to ensure that all contingencies during the life of citizens are carefully addressed in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.
And ILO Country Office Director for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique Wellington Chibebe said Convention 102 is the cornerstone of ILO’s efforts to build robust and inclusive social protection systems that provide minimum standards of social security as it guides countries in their efforts towards building universal social protection systems that are effective, inclusive, adequate, and sustainable over the long term.
Mr. Chibebe indicated further that the training seminar is a crucial part of a Global Ratification Campaign for Convention 102 and reflects ILO’s commitment to promoting and implementing the standards enshrined in the Convention.
“It is also an opportunity for social partners to engage in constructive dialogue, share knowledge and build consensus on how best to implement and promote the standards and principles enshrined in the convention,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Kate O’Donnell, the Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Ireland in Lusaka, said the Government of Ireland was pleased to be part of the tripartite training workshop as it was in line with its commitment towards promoting social protection recognising the importance of leaving no-one behind.
Ms O’Donnell said Convention 102 sets out a single, comprehensive and legally binding instrument for the minimum parameters that compels governments to commit to meeting each of the nine branches of social security and places them under principles for sound and sustainable governance.