The International Labour Organisation (ILO) released a new study titled "Universal Social Protection in Changing Labour Markets: Protecting Workers in All Types of Employment." The report warns that millions of workers worldwide remain exposed because social protection systems are fragmented, offer weak benefits and rely on unsustainable financing. It points to large coverage gaps affecting agriculture, domestic work, micro‑ and small enterprises and the informal economy, where many workers lack any formal safety net.
The ILO calls for a systematic expansion of social insurance to cover temporary, part‑time and self‑employed workers, arguing that such inclusion would improve security and help shift employment from informal to formal arrangements. It also stresses that existing benefits are often too limited to reduce poverty or protect against economic shocks, urging a move away from "narrow, reactive approaches."
Financing is highlighted as a central challenge; the organisation recommends domestic resource mobilisation through contributions and progressive taxes, complemented by targeted public subsidies for vulnerable groups. For low‑income nations, the report notes that international solidarity will continue to be crucial.
"Social protection must move beyond narrow, reactive approaches," the ILO states, adding that "Strengthening social protection systems is no longer optional: it is essential." It concludes that robust, equitable systems are the foundation for resilience, social justice and a just transition in the evolving world of work.
The ILO's stark warning that millions remain unprotected exposes a glaring blind spot in global labour policy, especially as the organisation urges governments to broaden insurance to temporary and self‑employed workers.
By singling out sectors such as agriculture, domestic work and the informal economy, the report reveals how current safety nets fail to keep pace with the rise of non‑standard employment, a trend accelerated by technological change and climate pressures. The call for sustainable financing through progressive taxation and targeted subsidies underscores the fiscal strain many states already face.
For ordinary Nigerians, the findings translate into a real risk of deeper poverty for the large informal workforce that powers much of the economy. Workers without formal contracts, including many market traders and domestic helpers, could see little relief from economic shocks unless the recommended reforms materialise.
The document fits into a broader global push for inclusive growth, echoing similar debates in Nigeria about extending social security to informal workers and aligning fiscal policy with social equity goals.
