“Enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all”

Effective social protection contributes to fair growth, social stability and enhanced productivity. With this in mind, the ILO has set out three main objectives reflecting the three major dimensions of social protection :

- Extending the coverage and effectiveness of social security schemes. Only 20 per cent of the world's population has access to adequate social security benefits;

- Promoting decent conditions of work, including wages, working time and occupational safety and health, essential components of decent work;

- Working through dedicated programmes and activities to protect such vulnerable groups as migrant workers and their families; and workers in the informal economy and their families.

The worlwide financial crisis makes it more vital than ever before to achieve these objectives and provide a springboard to sustainable development. See also our mandate and objectives.