Introducing Guides

Securing the Future – Social Safety Net for All

What should constitute an adequate minimum level of social protection and how can we finance it?

The 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights proclaimed that “everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security”. Seventy-five years later, it is still not the case. The current assessment of social protection is mostly based on a traditional labour market, which does not reflect the changes seen in most recent years. Among such are the growing prevalence of self-employment & various flexible work arrangements.

Consequently, workers experience fluctuating income and encounter limited access to socio-economic rights, including social security. The inadequacy of existing measures were even more highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving many workers in precarious situations, struggling to make ends meet, and facing heightened risks (Eurofound 2021; ILO 2021a).

The following guide sets out to disentangle: 

1. How can we establish a robust social safety net that transcends the traditional dichotomy of worker vs. self-employed; and
2.  How can we finance it? 

Our guide focuses predominantly on platform work, but policy recommendations apply across the board, with all workers beyond traditional employment relationships in mind. 

Before you dive deep into the policy guide, discover how your views on designing social safety nets for all, match with the outlook of other stakeholders.