Policies extending social security coverage Recurrent discussion on

Policies extending social security coverage Recurrent discussion on the strategic objective of social protection (social security): Social security for social justice and a fair globalization 100 th Session of the International Labour Conference, June 2011

The global state of social security coverage and recent policy initiatives (coverage gap estimates and policy examples) 80 % of the world population do not have access to comprehensive coverage Social security coverage gap 50% of children are living in poverty, many lack access to health and education Comprehensive national social security strategies, based on social dialogue 30% of the population do not have access to essential health care In many developing countries less than 20% of the elderly receive a pension Strengthening social health protection Social pension programmes Child and family benefits 1

The ILO‘s two-dimensional strategy for the extension of social security coverage high Vertical dimension: progressively ensuring higher levels of protection guided by C. 102 and higher-level standards Voluntary insurance under government regulation Level of protection Contributory social security benefits of guaranteed levels Social Protection Floor* Access to essential health care and minimum income security for all low individual/household income high Horizontal dimension: Guaranteeing access to essential health care and minimum income security for all * in addition to access to services which is also part of the UN Social Protection Floor Initiative 2

The Social Protection Floor: Four nationally-defined guarantees TRANSFERS in cash or in kind Outcomeoriented approach taking account of national conditions, priorities and institutions all residents • have access to a nationally defined set of essential health care services all children • should enjoy minimum income security through transfers in cash or kind aiming at facilitating access to essential goods and services, such as nutrition, education and care active age groups unable to earn sufficient income in the labour market all residents in old age and with disabilities • should enjoy minimum income security through social assistance transfers aiming to achieve access to essential goods and services • should enjoy minimum income security through pensions/transfers in kind that guarantee access to essential goods and services Transfers in cash and in kind should guarantee geographical and financial access to essential services such as water and sanitation, health, and education 3

Principles for the extension of social security coverage Universal coverage • Universal coverage of all residents • if necessary gradual implementation based on rational priority-setting in a social dialogue process • Fiscal, financial and economic sustainability Sustainability Rights-based approach Adequacy and focus on outcomes • Scope of basic guarantees commensurate with available fiscal space • Benefit provision as a legal entitlement • Adequacy of guarantee levels with clear focus on outcomes • Flexibility as to institutional arrangements (pluralism) • Coherence and efficiency of overall social security system Progressiveness • Encouraging progress towards C 102 and higher-level ILO standards 4

Guidance for future ILO work on social security Continued services and support to constituents • Knowledge generation and dissemination • Capacity-building • Technical advisory services Development of a complementary instrument/mechanism • Supporting the extension of social security coverage and the SPF • Key tool for the horizontal extension of coverage Production of a Social Security Best Protection Guide • Aiming at ensuring adequacy, financial sustainability and good governance • Reflecting Convention 102 and higher level standards • Key tool for the vertical dimension of the extension of coverage 5

Suggested points for discussion 1. Which policies contribute best to the extension of adequate social security coverage at all levels of development? 2. How can governments, workers and employers collaborate to put these policies into effect? 3. How can the ILO’s two-dimensional strategy for the extension of social security best support their efforts? 4. How could the gender dimension be strengthened in policies to extend the social security coverage? 6