ILO Report: 4billion people worldwide lack social protection’
A report recently released by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on social protection has revealed that despite significant progress in the extension of social protection in many parts of the world, the human right to social security is not yet a reality for a majority of the world’s population.
The flagship report further stated that a lot still needs to be done to ensure that the right to social security becomes a reality for all.
According to new data presented in the “World Social Protection Report 2017/19: Universal social protection to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” only 45 per cent of the global population is effectively covered by at least one social benefit, while the remaining 55 per cent 4 billion people are left unprotected.
The report assesses the range of social protection benefits for children, for women and men of working age including protection in case of maternity, unemployment, employment injury and disability and for older persons, including pensions. It also assesses progress towards universal coverage in health.
The new data of the report also shows that only 29 per cent of the global population enjoys access to comprehensive social security – a small increase compared to 27 per cent in 2014-2015 – while the other 71 per cent, or 5.2 billion people, are not, or only partially, protected.
In Africa, despite significant progress in the extension of social protection coverage in many countries, only 18 per cent of the African population is effectively covered by at least one social benefit.
Despite the overall low coverage, a number of countries have achieve universal coverage: Bostwana, Cabo Verde, Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa and Zanzibar (Tanzania). In these countries, all older persons receive a pension, and they are regarded as global good examples.
Universal coverage may be done social grants or social assistance, or by a combination of social insurance and social assistance (or social grants) like Cape Verde and South Africa.
Owing to greater efforts towards extending old age protection, 30 per cent of Africa’s older population now receive a pension.
However, significant coverage gaps remain with respect to children, mothers with new-born, unemployed workers, and persons with disabilities as well as vulnerable populations. The development of social protection floors is therefore an urgent priority in Africa.
“The lack of social protection leaves people vulnerable to ill-health, poverty, inequality and social exclusion throughout their life-cycle.
Denying this human right to 4 billion people worldwide is a significant obstacle to economic and social development.
While many countries have come a long way in strengthening their social protection systems, major efforts are still necessary to ensure that the right to social protection becomes a reality for all,” said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.
Joy Ekeke
