Extending Social Protection to the Rural Economy: Policy guidance notes on decent work in the rural economy

Organization(s): ILO
Year: 2015
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Social protection is now recognized as an integral part of the development and anti-poverty agenda in many countries. Among the highest priorities are policies and initiatives aimed at extending social protection to those who are not covered by existing systems – mainly workers in the informal economy and the rural economy. Given that poverty and vulnerability often characterize the living conditions of rural populations, social protection can be a highly relevant policy tool. Investments in social protection can support rural populations by increasing their access to health care and maternity leave, ensuring they receive adequate dietary intakes, allowing them to enjoy at least a minimum level of income security, ensuring they acquire quality education, and promoting and facilitating their engagement in decent and productive employment. In doing so, investments in social protection have contributed to reducing poverty and vulnerability, to promoting decent and productive employment for all, and to
fostering inclusive growth. This policy guidance note provides information about the action areas and scope that should be considered in a social protection policy for the rural economy, emphasizing the ILO’s approach based on the promotion of a variety of policy instruments.