Social protection floors, social protection systems and the family life cycle Social protection floors, social protection systems and the family life cycle

— a package of policy responses

4.5 Social protection floors, social protection systems and the family life cycle Social protection floors, social protection systems and the family life cycle

Section 3 of this Paper highlights the evidence which confirms that socio-economic status is a powerful determinant of Section 3 of this Paper highlights the evidence which confirms that socio-economic status is a powerful determinant of childhood development outcomes. In particular, low-income families and marginalized groups face economic and social childhood development outcomes. In particular, low-income families and marginalized groups face economic and social risks which, if not addressed, will lead to cumulative deficits in children’s learning and skills development along the life risks which, if not addressed, will lead to cumulative deficits in children’s learning and skills development along the life cycle. These findings make a compelling case for the use of social protection systems as an important means of ensuring cycle. These findings make a compelling case for the use of social protection systems as an important means of ensuring income security and access to basic services throughout the life cycle, thereby addressing the multiple and compounding income security and access to basic services throughout the life cycle, thereby addressing the multiple and compounding vulnerabilities faced by children and their families. In their recently adopted strategic frameworks

vulnerabilities faced by children and their families. In their recently adopted strategic frameworks⁶¹⁶¹ both ILO and UNICEF both ILO and UNICEF highlight the importance of building national social protection floors as fundamental elements of comprehensive and highlight the importance of building national social protection floors as fundamental elements of comprehensive and integrated social protection systems.

integrated social protection systems.

Social protection floors can provide an important overarching framework for social policy and planning at national level, in Social protection floors can provide an important overarching framework for social policy and planning at national level, in the context of the life cycle, and for the determination of social sector allocations to family and child-focused development the context of the life cycle, and for the determination of social sector allocations to family and child-focused development programmes. The Social Protection Floor Initiative was adopted by the United Nations System Chief Executives Board programmes. The Social Protection Floor Initiative was adopted by the United Nations System Chief Executives Board (CEB) in April 2009, led by the ILO and the WHO. The initiative was prompted by the recognition of the importance and (CEB) in April 2009, led by the ILO and the WHO. The initiative was prompted by the recognition of the importance and necessity of adequate social protection systems, given that 75 to 80 per cent of the world’s population lacks access to social necessity of adequate social protection systems, given that 75 to 80 per cent of the world’s population lacks access to social security. The aim is to expand and extend social protection coverage to all as a right, in order to compensate for loss or lack security. The aim is to expand and extend social protection coverage to all as a right, in order to compensate for loss or lack of income, and to ensure access to social services to meet basic needs. This may be in a short-term context such as economic of income, and to ensure access to social services to meet basic needs. This may be in a short-term context such as economic shock, as in the current financial crisis, or for longer-term support to vulnerable populations not covered by social insurance shock, as in the current financial crisis, or for longer-term support to vulnerable populations not covered by social insurance provisions applicable to the formal economy.

provisions applicable to the formal economy.

61 ILO, 2012 (forthcoming): Social Security for All: Building social protection floors and comprehensive social security systems: The strategy of the International Labour Organization (Geneva: International Labour Office). UNICEF: ‘Integrated Social Protection Systems: Enhancing Equity for Children — UNICEF Social Protection Strategic Framework’ UNICEF, March, 2012.

62 SUPPORTING WORKERS WITH FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIESSUPPORTING WORKERS WITH FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES

A recent report of the Social Protection Floor Advisory Group, chaired by Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile, A recent report of the Social Protection Floor Advisory Group, chaired by Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile, Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, and Executive Director of UN Women, shows that the extension of social Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, and Executive Director of UN Women, shows that the extension of social protection to persons not covered by social security, drawing on social protection floors, can play a pivotal role in relieving protection to persons not covered by social security, drawing on social protection floors, can play a pivotal role in relieving working families of poverty and deprivation.

working families of poverty and deprivation.⁶²⁶² The Report stresses that they should be implemented in close coordination The Report stresses that they should be implemented in close coordination with other policies to enhance employability, reduce precarious work, create decent jobs, and promote entrepreneurship. The with other policies to enhance employability, reduce precarious work, create decent jobs, and promote entrepreneurship. The Life Cycle Approach can serve to provide coherence, and a means for integrating the wide range of common, differentiated Life Cycle Approach can serve to provide coherence, and a means for integrating the wide range of common, differentiated and focused policies needed to support working families and their children.

and focused policies needed to support working families and their children.

Figure 6

Figure 6 Social protection floor: Integrated social policies to protect and empower people across the life cycle⁶³

The rights-affirming and child-focused aspects of the Social Protection Floor are well highlighted in the Bachelet Report.

(See Box 5 for relevant excerpts from the report).

Box 5

Box 5 Bachelet Commission Report on the social protection floor is child-focused and rights-affirmingBachelet Commission Report on the social protection floor is child-focused and rights-affirming⁶⁴⁶⁴ The Report refers to the Convention on the Rights of the Child:

The Report refers to the Convention on the Rights of the Child:

“States Parties shall recognize for every child the right to benefit from social security, including social insurance, and shall take the necessary

“States Parties shall recognize for every child the right to benefit from social security, including social insurance, and shall take the necessary measures to achieve the full realization of this right in accordance with their national law.” (Article 26)

measures to achieve the full realization of this right in accordance with their national law.” (Article 26)

The Report states that an option for mitigating both the poverty and nutritional effects of food price increases and shocks in general in the short The Report states that an option for mitigating both the poverty and nutritional effects of food price increases and shocks in general in the short run could be providing cash transfers or food subsidies along with micronutrient supplementation — specifically to poor women and young children.

run could be providing cash transfers or food subsidies along with micronutrient supplementation — specifically to poor women and young children.

The social transfers synonymous with the floor could thus play an important role in combating the impact of food insecurity The social transfers synonymous with the floor could thus play an important role in combating the impact of food insecurity

The Report states that income security for children linked with access to health and education represents a significant investment in human capital The Report states that income security for children linked with access to health and education represents a significant investment in human capital formation, from which society will benefit in terms of better educated, skilled and more productive individuals.

formation, from which society will benefit in terms of better educated, skilled and more productive individuals.

62 Social Protection Floors for a Fair Globalization — Report of the Social Protection Floor Advisory group chaired by Michelle Bachelet — ILO, Geneva, October 2011.

63 Ibid.

64 Ibid.

63 63

CONNECTING CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND THE DECENT WORK AGENDA CONNECTING CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND THE DECENT WORK AGENDA

4.5.1 The ILO’s Social Protection Floors Recommendation 2012 (No. 202) 4.5.1 The ILO’s Social Protection Floors Recommendation 2012 (No. 202)

The new policy and normative instruments adopted recently by ILO and UNICEF are clearly relevant in shaping their The new policy and normative instruments adopted recently by ILO and UNICEF are clearly relevant in shaping their respective actions and collaborative agenda. The ILO’s tripartite constituents adopted a two-dimensional strategy on the respective actions and collaborative agenda. The ILO’s tripartite constituents adopted a two-dimensional strategy on the extension of social security during the 100

extension of social security during the 100^th^th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2011, which calls for Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2011, which calls for the rapid implementation of national social protection floors, achieving universal coverage of the population with at least the rapid implementation of national social protection floors, achieving universal coverage of the population with at least minimum levels of protection (horizontal dimension) and progressively ensuring higher levels of income security and access minimum levels of protection (horizontal dimension) and progressively ensuring higher levels of income security and access to health care in line with ILO social security standards (vertical dimension).

to health care in line with ILO social security standards (vertical dimension).⁶⁵⁶⁵ The Social Protection Floors Recommendation The Social Protection Floors Recommendation (No. 202) was adopted at the 101

(No. 202) was adopted at the 101^st^st Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2012. Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2012.⁶⁶⁶⁶

As is common practice with ILO normative instruments, the Recommendation contains guidelines for Member States As is common practice with ILO normative instruments, the Recommendation contains guidelines for Member States to use in setting up their policy and legislative frameworks to implement social protection floors and their strategies for to use in setting up their policy and legislative frameworks to implement social protection floors and their strategies for the extension of social security. This constitutes a significant step forward in the promotion of social protection floors at the extension of social security. This constitutes a significant step forward in the promotion of social protection floors at national level, and a good entry point for UNICEF/ILO collaboration. The ILO Recommendation follows a flexible approach national level, and a good entry point for UNICEF/ILO collaboration. The ILO Recommendation follows a flexible approach that takes into account national needs and priorities, with a view to further developing existing systems of coverage, and that takes into account national needs and priorities, with a view to further developing existing systems of coverage, and closing coverage gaps. Because of its rights-based approach, such national social protection floors can provide strong support closing coverage gaps. Because of its rights-based approach, such national social protection floors can provide strong support to working families, particularly low-income families in the informal economy, who are often excluded from contributory to working families, particularly low-income families in the informal economy, who are often excluded from contributory social insurance schemes, in gaining access to quality care, education and other social services for their children.

social insurance schemes, in gaining access to quality care, education and other social services for their children.

The Recommendation characterizes social protection floors as “nationally-defined sets of basic social security guarantees The Recommendation characterizes social protection floors as “nationally-defined sets of basic social security guarantees which secure protection aimed at preventing or alleviating poverty, vulnerability and social exclusion”. (Art. 2). These basic which secure protection aimed at preventing or alleviating poverty, vulnerability and social exclusion”. (Art. 2). These basic social security guarantees should include at least “access to a nationally defined set of goods and services, constituting social security guarantees should include at least “access to a nationally defined set of goods and services, constituting essential health care, including maternity care, that meets the criteria of availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality”

essential health care, including maternity care, that meets the criteria of availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality”

(Article 5(a)), as well as “basic income security for children, at least at a nationally defined minimum level, providing access (Article 5(a)), as well as “basic income security for children, at least at a nationally defined minimum level, providing access to nutrition, education, care and any other necessary goods and services” (Article 5(b)). It is important to note that such basic to nutrition, education, care and any other necessary goods and services” (Article 5(b)). It is important to note that such basic social security guarantees can be realized through a variety of different means, including cash transfers such as universal social security guarantees can be realized through a variety of different means, including cash transfers such as universal child allowances and birth grants, non-cash transfers such as fee waivers for health and education services, food vouchers or child allowances and birth grants, non-cash transfers such as fee waivers for health and education services, food vouchers or food aid, as well as national employment guarantee schemes, unemployment benefits, and access to social services.

food aid, as well as national employment guarantee schemes, unemployment benefits, and access to social services.

Of special relevance in terms of rights-affirming support to working families and their children, including low-income Of special relevance in terms of rights-affirming support to working families and their children, including low-income families in the informal economy, are the following principles

families in the informal economy, are the following principles⁶⁷⁶⁷: 3.(b) entitlement to benefits prescribed by national law;

3.(b) entitlement to benefits prescribed by national law;

(d) non-discrimination, gender equality and responsiveness to special needs;

(e) social inclusion, including of persons in the informal economy;

(g) progressive realization, including by setting targets and time frames;

(m) coherence across institutions responsible for delivery of social protection;

(n) high-quality public services that enhance the delivery of social security systems;

The Recommendation also provides guidance for member States in implementing social protection floors within strategies The Recommendation also provides guidance for member States in implementing social protection floors within strategies for the extension of social security that aim at progressively building comprehensive social security systems.

for the extension of social security that aim at progressively building comprehensive social security systems.

65 International Labour Organization, Resolution and conclusions concerning the recurrent discussion on social protection (social security), adopted at the 100^th Session of the International Labour Conference, ILO, Geneva, June 2011. Retrieved from <www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/---relconf/documents/meetingdocument/wcms_162049.pdf> 26 November 2012. See also ILO, Social Security for All, op. cit.

66 Retrieved from <www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO:12100:P12100_INSTRUMENT_ID:3065524:NO> 26 November 2012.

67 Ibid.

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4.5.2 UNICEF’s Social Protection Strategic Framework 4.5.2 UNICEF’s Social Protection Strategic Framework UNICEF’s first global Social Protection Strategic Framework

UNICEF’s first global Social Protection Strategic Framework⁶⁸⁶⁸ launched in March 2012, provides a starting point for a launched in March 2012, provides a starting point for a collaborative agenda with partners, aimed at harnessing the potential of social protection to advance children’s rights and collaborative agenda with partners, aimed at harnessing the potential of social protection to advance children’s rights and well-being. UNICEF defines social protection as a set of public and private policies and programs, aimed at reducing and well-being. UNICEF defines social protection as a set of public and private policies and programs, aimed at reducing and eliminating economic and social vulnerabilities to poverty and deprivation.

eliminating economic and social vulnerabilities to poverty and deprivation.

UNICEF’s Strategic Framework is guided by three core principles:

Universality

Universality: The progressive realization of universal coverage. Countries are encouraged to identify and progressively build The progressive realization of universal coverage. Countries are encouraged to identify and progressively build up a mix of policies and strategies suited to their needs, and in line with their national development plans.

up a mix of policies and strategies suited to their needs, and in line with their national development plans.

National leadership and ownership

National leadership and ownership of social protection systems: Support for countries’ efforts to assert their policy space, of social protection systems: Support for countries’ efforts to assert their policy space, and to design country-specific systems, to develop coordinated implementation mechanisms, to decide on expenditure and to design country-specific systems, to develop coordinated implementation mechanisms, to decide on expenditure levels in relation to capacity, and to explore financing options.

levels in relation to capacity, and to explore financing options.

Inclusive social protection:

Inclusive social protection: Comprises an integrated, multi-sectoral approach making use of the life cycle, with appropriate Comprises an integrated, multi-sectoral approach making use of the life cycle, with appropriate age-specific policy interventions, ensuring both preventive and protective measures, recognizing that positive ECD outcomes age-specific policy interventions, ensuring both preventive and protective measures, recognizing that positive ECD outcomes that cater to the whole of the child are dependent upon an integrated, multi-sectoral approach that links policy interventions that cater to the whole of the child are dependent upon an integrated, multi-sectoral approach that links policy interventions from different sectors: health, childcare, child protection, nutrition and education. This approach also considers and from different sectors: health, childcare, child protection, nutrition and education. This approach also considers and addresses gender-specific risks and vulnerabilities, as well as those related to other components of socio-economic status:

addresses gender-specific risks and vulnerabilities, as well as those related to other components of socio-economic status:

marginalized groups, children with disabilities, indigenous peoples, ethnic minorities.

Central to the integrated approach, also, is the framing of social protection strategies within the context of a broader set Central to the integrated approach, also, is the framing of social protection strategies within the context of a broader set of social and economic policies, including sustainable livelihoods and decent work strategies. The core principles of the of social and economic policies, including sustainable livelihoods and decent work strategies. The core principles of the Strategic Framework underlie four components of policy and programmatic interventions as follows:

Strategic Framework underlie four components of policy and programmatic interventions as follows:

 Social transfers Social transfers

 Programmes to ensure economic and social access to services Programmes to ensure economic and social access to services

Im Dokument SUPPORTING SUPPORTING WORKERS WORKERS WITH FAMILY WITH FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES RESPONSIBILITIES (Seite 63-68)