Petition Summary and Background
Social protection is a combination of tools, schemes, policies, laws which guarantees work security, economic security, health security, equality, freedom and dignity. Social protection is a ‘basic right for all individuals’. Social protection is ensured through social security, social benefits, health insurance, public services, labour laws and other policies.
The International Labour Organisation says “Only one in five people in the world has adequate social security coverage. More than half the world’s population lacks any type of social security protection.”
No matter the level of economic development, social protection is becoming an important issue that needs policies and programs from governments in all countries. Access to the existing state funded social security systems is becoming more difficult for many young workers due to economic liberalization policies. Harder rules and conditions are put in place to exclude the unemployed young people from social benefits. Work security is in danger due to easy dismissal policies and insecure temporary contracts. The economic policies are excluding young workers who are looking for their first job.
This petition is to draw the attention of policymakers in the governments and international institutions to provide policies and programs for social protection to all.
Action Petitioned for
We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our leaders to act now to enact social protection policies for all the people to ensure:
Work Security
Work security is an important component of social protection. The complex nature of informal sector jobs requires a variety of policies aiming at ensuring job security based on the type of work activity and employment relations.
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Employment security through government polices ensuring full employment as a right.
- Protection from unfair dismissals.
- Occupational health and safety by limiting working hours, safe environment, regulations on night work etc.
- The right to get organized and to represent the voice of the workers should be a primary condition of work security.
- Identity cards and license to conduct the work activities free from intimidation and harassment.
- Common market places for the workers who sell things in the streets.
- Food storage and processing centres for the small income agricultural workers and street and market vendors.
- Training programs for the workers in the informal economy through vocational training centers.
Economic security
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Social security schemes that provide security during illness, injury and life threatening events.
- Protection of an income to meet the basic needs through enforcement of statutory minimum wage, social security schemes, ‘supplementary income to the low income earners’.
- Social benefit schemes for education, child care and maternity are essential.
- Food supplies through ration and protection of the environment to facilitate the food security of workers in the informal economy.
- Easy access to financial resources for the work activities.
- The annual budget of the countries should allocate resources for social protection while recognizing the GDP contribution of the workers in the informal economy.
Health security
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Health insurance schemes for the workers and their families.
- Public health centres and hospitals that provide quality free health service.
- Access to safe drinking water, sanitary facilities and services to protect their health and the environment.
- Mobile health services to remote areas to protect from illness and to promote health education.
Security on equality and freedom
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Equal treatment of men and women in wage, access to social protection, employment advancement, training and access to resources.
- Enforcement of policies and laws to promote gender equality, protection against all forms of violence, abuse and harassment.
- Freedom and right to get organized as trade unions, associations and organizations to represent the workers.
- Protection against preferences and choices of social protection policies based on political or other interests.
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