Promoting and building social protection in South Asia

Social protection is a fundamental human right, yet the effective coverage of social protection of population covered by at least one benefit in South Asia remains critically low at 35.4%, with informal employment at 86.6%, far exceeding the global average of 57.8%. This exacerbates the vulnerability of informal workers, particularly gig, platform, and care workers, who lack access to adequate social security benefits. Existing systems rely heavily on fragmented non-contributory schemes, with insufficient fiscal space and limited gender-responsive measures. Additionally, India and Sri Lanka, the key countries in this project, face distinct but overlapping challenges, including the limited coverage of social insurance schemes and the absence of targeted social protection mechanisms for specific occupational groups, such as platform workers and migrant care workers. This project seeks to address and take actions to these gaps by building sustainable and gender-transformative social protection systems in India and Sri Lanka. It focuses on extending social insurance schemes to informal workers, including platform and care workers, while prioritizing increased coverage, benefit adequacy, financial sustainability, and gender equality. Key interventions include the development and expansion of employment injury and maternity insurance schemes, and the design of social protection system tailored to the unique needs of care workers. The project also promotes capacity-building for government institutions and social partners, strengthening tripartite social dialogue and fostering regional knowledge-sharing through South-South cooperation. A regional platform enables the exchange of good practices, build capacity, and drive sustainable reforms. Through these efforts, the project aims to improve a well-being of informal and care workers, reduce inequalities, and create more resilient, inclusive, and gender-equitable social protection framework across South Asia.

Project symbol

RAS/25/02/JPN

Admin unit

DWT/CO-New Delhi

Start date

20/03/2025

End date

19/03/2028

Total allocation

797157

Total expenditure

Status

Active

327155

Development Partners

Japan, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Country/Countries

India
Sri Lanka

Outcomes

Outcome 5: Gender equality and equality of treatment and opportunities for all
Outcome 7: Universal social protection