The International Labour Organisation (ILO) released the World Social Protection Report 2017-2019. 4 billion people worldwide are left without social protection: ILO. The ILO report looks at specific aspects of social protection, providing global and regional findings.

According to ILO, Social protection is a human right and is defined as the set of policies and programmes designed to reduce and prevent poverty and vulnerability throughout the life cycle. Social protection includes benefits for children and families, maternity, unemployment,
employment injury, sickness, old age, disability, survivors, as well as health protection.Thus, social protection policies are vital elements of national development strategies.

Key Findings of the Report

• Less than half (45.2%) have guaranteed access to only one social protection benefit in the risks such as ill health, unemployment, occupational injuries, disability, and old age.
• More than half the population in rural areas are not covered by universal health programmes, as compared to less than a quarter in urban locations.
• About 29% of the population enjoy comprehensive social protection.
• Around 1.3 billion children that is two thirds of children globally are not covered and most of them live in Africa and Asia.
• Only 1.1 per cent of GDP is spent on child and family benefits for children aged 0-14.
• Cash transfers for children have expanded in low and middle-income countries over the past decades. However, coverage and benefit levels still remain insufficient.
• Social protection coverage for working people is still limited. Only 41.1 per cent of mothers with newborns receive a maternity benefit and 83 million new mothers remain uncovered.
• 27.8 per cent of persons with severe disabilities worldwide receive a disability benefit.
• Right to health is not a reality yet in many parts of the world, especially in rural areas where 56 per cent of the population lacks health coverage, compared to 22 per cent in urban areas.
• Long-term health care still excludes more than 48 per cent of the world’s population, with women disproportionately affected.
• The commitment for social protection is woefully inadequate given the magnitude of the challenge.
•  Persistent unemployment, underemployment and the prevalence of informal employment.

India’s social protection challenge

• India is almost a global outlier when it comes to spending on social protection.
• As a proportion of its GDP, India spends less than many poorer African countries on social protection.
• In terms of both pension and insurance coverage, India’s record so far has been dismal compared with other emerging markets.
• Lack of reliable public health services and the absence of health insurance compel the poor to spend heavily on private medical care.
• Share of out-of-pocket expenditure in total health spending in India is among the highest in the world which hampers India’s efforts to reduce poverty.
• Faulty targeting (high inclusion and exclusion errors), corruption and ineffectiveness.
• There has been little analysis of the effectiveness of the programmes, and little attempt at evidence-backed reforms.

 What needs to be done?

• Public investment in social security is critical to eradicate poverty, boost economic growth, and reduce inequality.
• Increase of public expenditure on social protection especially in Africa, Asia and the Arab States.
• Universal health coverage, providing effective access to at least essential health care is key to achieving the SDGs
• Need for a national minimum security package for unorganised sector workers
• Programmes for self-employment of the poor are to be implemented by providing financial support and technical assistance.
• Increasing India’s narrow tax base can give more fiscal space to make the much needed social expenditures, particularly in health.
• States should get more flexibility in formulating poverty alleviation schemes according to regional specifications.