GCSPF e-Newsletter # 59 - September 2021

The ILO World Social Protection Report 2020-2022, Social protection at the crossroads: in pursuit of a better future (pdf version) provides a global overview of recent developments in social protection systems, including social protection floors, and covers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on new data, it offers a broad range of global, regional and country data on social protection coverage, benefits and public expenditures.

Following a life-cycle approach, the report analyses progress with regard to universal social protection coverage, with a particular focus on achieving the globally agreed 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report includes access to comprehensive statistical tables containing the latest social protection data, including detailed country data on SDG indicator 1.3.1. Read more

On August 2021 the GCSPF sent a welcome letter to Mathias Cormann, new Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

As a key actor in international economic and social policy and a major representative of a group of the highest income countries, the OECD has, as part of its mandate, a critical role in the definition and implementation of development cooperation, a task of overarching and fundamental importance. Read more

These blog posts summarise the reflections presented at the webinars “ACTIONS of African governments to expand social protection during COVID-19”, “Africa’s VISION to expand social protection and build forward better from COVID-19” and “VOICES of Africans affected by the COVID-19 crisis: Experiences on the impacts of COVID-19 on the incomes, livelihoods and wellbeing” held on June 2021.

These sessions are part of a series of discussions jointly organised by the African Union, the Africa Social Protection Platform, HelpAge International, WIEGO, Save the Children, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) – Zambia, and the ILO Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa. The recordings and presentations are available and can be accessed online. Read more

The study “Social and Economic Impact of the Coronavirus on the Employment of Young People in Jordan”, prepared by the Phenix Center for Economic and Informatics Studies, explored opportunities for young people in different sectors and economic activities, the skills needed for young people to be able to enter the labor market in light of the pandemic, and highlighted the impact of the pandemic on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Jordan.

The study noted that the employment of young men and women in Jordan is more concentrated in some specific sectors and economic activities – such as the tourism, transportation and services industries. These sectors were hit particularly badly by the pandemic, and as such many employees within those sectors lost their jobs. Additionally, all supply chains associated with food markets and restaurants – in which young people tend to be employed – were also harmed by the pandemic. The study also found that response policies implemented during the crisis did not take into account the needs of young people with disabilities. Read more

The virtual ASEAN Regional Forum on Social Protection that Empowers Women organized by OXFAM was held on 29 - 30 June 2021. The forum brought together social protection experts, national and international organizations, civil society organizations, UN agencies, ASEAN Committee on Women, ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development empowerment and advancement. Aura Sevilla (WIEGO), Florencia Caro Sachetti (CIPPEC, Argentina), Evelyn Astor (ITUC), María Victoria Raquiza (Social Watch Philippines, Philippines) members of the Global Coalition participated on the Forum and spoke about the Global Fund. Further information can be found here. The videos are here.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking experienced applicants for the position of Deputy Director in the Business and Human Rights Division to serve as a key strategist for our growing body of work on Poverty and Inequality and to work with the Director and the staff on corporate accountability. The Deputy will report to and work alongside the Director to ensure the highest standards of research and advocacy, develop and implement the division’s strategy, liaise with other parts of the organization, and help manage an increasingly growing staff focused on human rights in the global economy.
The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic human rights interventions and understand how to bring innovate approaches to research, advocacy and communications to effect change. Application deadline: September 30. Read more.