ILO discusses Universal Social Protection at the World Social Security Forum
The ILO actively participated in the World Social Security Forum in Brussels and gave a keynote speech on 100 years of social protection and the 2030 Agenda.
17 October 2019
Valérie Schmitt, Deputy Director of the ILO’s Social Protection Department, spoke at the plenary session of the World Social Security Forum, organized by the International Social Security Association (ISSA), on the occasion of the ILO’s Centenary. In her speech, Ms Schmitt traced the developments in establishing social protection floors across the globe, and what remains to be done.
Over the last century, comprehensive social protection systems have been set up in many countries across the world. However, despite this progress, around 55% of the world’s population have no social protection whatsoever. A lack which is only exacerbated by rapid population growth.
This problem is most acutely felt in developing regions. In Africa, over 80% of people are not covered by social protection systems. In Asia and the Pacific, the number is over 60%, meaning that the majority of people in the world’s two most populous continents are not covered by social protection systems.
Universal Social Protection is enshrined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development under goal 1.3 aiming to implement “nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable”. The inclusion of universal social protection for all, demonstrates that closing the social protection gap is at the heart of the 2030 Agenda, and can contribute to achieving many other sustainable development targets, such as poverty reduction.
On average, funds for social protection floors account for 4.2% of national GDP. “With only 0.23% of global GDP, everyone could be covered by social protection floors,” said Ms Schmitt. Therefore, she called on countries to “increase the fiscal space for social protection” to achieve universal coverage.
ILO Recommendation 202 on social protection floors helps to realise the commitment of many countries to achieve universal social protection floors.
In order to achieve target 1.3 and universal social protection, especially in the context of a growing informal economy of crowd and app workers, it is key to establish protection throughout each life-cycle, universal coverage, national ownership of social protection schemes, sustainable and equitable financing, and social dialogue.
These actions help to ensure that universal social protection is carried out in an economically and socially sustainable manner, which protects workers and avoids unfair competition between coverage in the formal and informal sectors.
Over the last century, comprehensive social protection systems have been set up in many countries across the world. However, despite this progress, around 55% of the world’s population have no social protection whatsoever. A lack which is only exacerbated by rapid population growth.
This problem is most acutely felt in developing regions. In Africa, over 80% of people are not covered by social protection systems. In Asia and the Pacific, the number is over 60%, meaning that the majority of people in the world’s two most populous continents are not covered by social protection systems.
Universal Social Protection is enshrined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development under goal 1.3 aiming to implement “nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable”. The inclusion of universal social protection for all, demonstrates that closing the social protection gap is at the heart of the 2030 Agenda, and can contribute to achieving many other sustainable development targets, such as poverty reduction.
On average, funds for social protection floors account for 4.2% of national GDP. “With only 0.23% of global GDP, everyone could be covered by social protection floors,” said Ms Schmitt. Therefore, she called on countries to “increase the fiscal space for social protection” to achieve universal coverage.
ILO Recommendation 202 on social protection floors helps to realise the commitment of many countries to achieve universal social protection floors.
In order to achieve target 1.3 and universal social protection, especially in the context of a growing informal economy of crowd and app workers, it is key to establish protection throughout each life-cycle, universal coverage, national ownership of social protection schemes, sustainable and equitable financing, and social dialogue.
These actions help to ensure that universal social protection is carried out in an economically and socially sustainable manner, which protects workers and avoids unfair competition between coverage in the formal and informal sectors.