Extension of Social Security Coverage to the Informal Economy

This course aims at sharing innovative experiences on the extension of social protection to workers in the informal economy and “new” forms of work with a view to ensuring adequate social protection for workers in all types of employment. This is part of a strategy to promote universal social protection systems that are financed in a sustainable and equitable way through a combination of contributions and taxes. • What are the main barriers and constraints to the extension of coverage to workers in the informal economy and how can they be tackled? • How have countries extended social security coverage through contributory and non-contributory mechanisms, and what can be learnt from international experiences? • Integrated approaches to strengthen national social protection systems, including social protection floors, contributing to the reduction and prevention of poverty, the promotion of economic and social development and transitions from the informal to the formal economy. OBJECTIVES The training objectives of the course were to: • Deepen knowledge on the barriers to the extension of social security coverage to workers in the informal economy and in “new” forms of work and possible solutions. • Reflect on strategies to extend social security to workers in the informal economy and in “new” forms of work, including through integrated approaches. • Share national experiences and exchange among participants, through country examples and group work. CONTENT • Informal employment in different contexts, including in rural areas and in the digital economy • Challenges and constraints with regard to access to social security coverage • Strategies for the extension of social security coverage • Country examples and international experiences • The importance of an integrated approach The Extension of Social Security Coverage to the Informal Economy course consisted of 25 hours of learning.