More than
half of the world’s population lacks access to essential health care and just
29 per cent have comprehensive social security coverage, according to a new
International Labour Organization (ILO) report on the implementation of social
protection in more than 100 countries.
Globally, only 68 per cent of persons of retirement age receive some form of
pension, and in many low-income countries this drops to just 20 per cent. Fewer
than 60 per cent of countries reported that they had schemes or benefits to
ensure income security for children.
The findings come in the General Survey 2019, compiled by the ILO Committee of
Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR). The
Survey (published under the title Universal social protection for
human dignity, social justice and sustainable development ) focuses on the ILO’s Social Protection Floors
Recommendation, 2012 (No. 202) , which calls for basic income security and
essential healthcare guarantees from childhood to old age. It also aims to
encourage greater levels of protection for as many people as possible, as soon
as possible.
“Social protection is proven to be good for societies and economies. This human
right clearly has strong buy-in from countries, employers and workers across
the world,” said Emmanuelle St-Pierre Guilbault, Legal Specialist at the ILO’s
International Labour Standards Department. “This is a ‘must’ to tackle the
broad and rising inequality we see today and foster stability.”
“The ILO
stands ready to help countries address any remaining obstacles, including the
major issue of financing, on the road to achieving sufficient social protection
for all,” she added.
It found that while universal health coverage has been achieved in many high-
and middle-income countries, in many countries the population only has access
to certain components of health care.
The main deficits in essential health care access relate to the underfunding of
health protection, shortages of health workers and high rates of out-of-pocket
payments. This results in an increased risk of impoverishment and financial
hardship, which is found in all regions of the world.
The report says that more effort is needed to establish universal health
coverage in both law and practice, including the reallocation of budgets and an
increase in the number of health workers.
Important gaps also remain in establishing basic income security. The report
recommends that countries set clear objectives, with precise time frames, to
extend adequate social protection for all, covering basic needs. Such policies
should be shaped through inclusive and effective dialogue with workers’ and
employers’ organisations, as well as other stakeholders.
The issue of universal social protection coverage is also key for achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals , notably those targets covering the
ending of poverty and inequality, health and well-being, decent work, economic
growth, peace, justice and strong institutions.
Social protection is expected to be on the agenda of the 2020 International Labour Conference .
General Surveys are prepared annually by CEACR, the supervisory body in charge
of monitoring ILO member States’ compliance with international labour
standards. Each edition focuses on a subject chosen by the ILO’s Governing Body
and takes an in-depth look at member States’ national law and practice in
relation to it.
The General Survey 2019 is based on responses by 114 governments and
observations submitted by employers’ and workers’ organizations. Survey
participants responded to 46 questions on the implementation of Recommendation No. 202 , which was the first international
social protection standard of the 21st Century. Responses to the 2019 survey
were analysed, good practices and obstacles were identified, and guidance
offered to encourage better application of the Recommendation .
The CEACR has also released its annual report , along with an updated edition of Rules of the Game , which gives a concise,
non-specialist introduction to international labour standards and their
importance in today’s global economy.