ILO Calls for Universal Social Protection to Safeguard Workers in Evolving Global Economy
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has issued a comprehensive set of policy recommendations aimed at ensuring all workers worldwide are protected against social risks and can effectively navigate the complex transformations occurring in labour markets. The global labour body has emphasized the critical need to strengthen social protection systems, highlighting that existing gaps in coverage, adequacy, and financing are leaving millions of workers vulnerable in an increasingly unpredictable global economic environment.
Addressing Persistent Coverage Gaps for All Employment Types
In its detailed report titled 'Universal social protection in changing labour markets: Protecting workers in all types of employment', the ILO underscores the necessity of continuously reinforcing social protection frameworks to safeguard workers. Shahra Razavi, Director of the ILO's Universal Social Protection Department, pointed out that to tackle ongoing coverage deficiencies, there must be a systematic expansion of protection. This expansion should ensure that every worker, including those in temporary, part-time, and self-employed roles, receives adequate coverage.
Razavi urged that comprehensive coverage for workers across all employment forms is not only vital for supporting social and economic goals but also for facilitating the transition from informal to formal economies. Beyond merely extending coverage, he stressed the pressing requirement to enhance the adequacy and comprehensiveness of benefits. This improvement is crucial for boosting workers' capacity to prevent poverty and reduce their overall vulnerability to economic shocks.
Moving Beyond Reactive Approaches to Life-Cycle Protection
The ILO chief argued that social protection must evolve beyond narrow, reactive strategies to provide reliable support throughout individuals' entire life cycles. This includes assisting workers during transitions between jobs, sectors, and employment types, as well as across key life stages—from early childhood and school-to-work transitions to parenthood, periods of unemployment, illness, or disability, and into old age.
A core message from the report is that strengthening social protection demands sustainable and equitable financing mechanisms. Razavi highlighted the importance of domestic resource mobilisation, such as social security contributions and progressive taxation, as fundamental to financing strategies. These can be supplemented, where needed, by public subsidies to include workers with limited contributory capacity. This approach enables effective risk-sharing, redistribution, and ensures the long-term sustainability of social protection systems.
Building Resilience Amid Global Challenges
In the context of climate change, technological transformation, and demographic shifts, the publication emphasized that robust social protection systems are indispensable for resilience. According to Razavi, these systems help workers and enterprises adapt to change, support transitions toward more sustainable economic activities, and reinforce social cohesion. He asserted that strengthening social protection systems is no longer optional but essential for future stability.
"We need systems that reach everyone, provide adequate protection, and are financed fairly and sustainably. This is the foundation for resilience, social justice, and a just transition in the changing world of work," Razavi concluded, reinforcing the ILO's commitment to global worker welfare in an era of unprecedented economic volatility.
