The role of standards in social security and

The role of standards in social security and ILO follow-up 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

ILO up-to-date Conventions on social security C 118 Equality of Treatment (Social Security) Convention, 1962 C 157 Maintenance of Social Security Rights Convention, 1982 C 121 Employment Injury Benefits Convention, 1964 C 128 Invalidity, Old-Age and Survivors' Benefits Convention, 1967 C 130 Medical Care and Sickness Benefits Convention, 1969 C 168 Employment Promotion and Protection against Unemployment Convention, 1988 C 183 Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 * C. 102 Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 R 67 Income Security Recommendation, 1944 R 69 Medical Care Recommendation, 1944 * The Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183) includes components on social security. 1

Need for complementary instrument/ mechanism to guide the extension of coverage and the implementation of the SPF Reflects conclusions of the CEACR General Survey 2011 and the Tripartite Meeting of Experts 2009 Need to complement existing standards ● Existing ILO standards provide limited guidance on the extension of coverage ● Setting national priorities regarding a national Social Protection Floor and defining minimum benefit guarantees ● No absolute protection against poverty Timeliness International support ● ILO is the only organisation which could develop such instrument ● Broad agreement on need for complementary instrument or other mechanism ● Supporting upcoming review of MDG objectives ● Support for UN Social Protection Floor Initiative 2

Principles for the extension of social security coverage Universal coverage These principles could form the core of an instrument/ mechanism guiding the extension of coverage • Universal coverage of all residents by comprehensive social security guarantees • implementation based on national 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 • Building comprehensive social security systems in accordance with up-to-date ILO standards 3

Possible future policy orientation for the Organization and the Office Possible instrument/mechanism supporting the extension of social security coverage • Possibility of a single discussion in 2012 • Would ensure relevance and timeliness with regard to the global discussion on follow-up of MDGs Promotion of existing standards • Reinforcement of promotional activities • Development of Social Security Best Protection Guide Further standard-related action • Follow-up to the conclusions of the CEACR General Survey 2011 and the outcomes of the discussion of the Committee on the Application of Standards 4

Suggested points for discussion 1. What is the role of ILO standards in further promoting the extension of social security coverage for all? 2. What further measures should be taken to enhance the ratification and application of Convention No. 102 and other up-to-date ILO social security standards? 3. What further instruments or other mechanisms (Conventions, Recommendations, guidelines, codes of practice, etc. ) could be developed to guide the implementation of the Social Protection Floor (SPF) in the context of the two-dimensional strategy for the extension of social security for all? 5