Press room

On the occasion of the conference "Extending social protection in Globalization: Challenges and Responses" , organized in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and GIP for International Health and Social Protection (GIP SPSI ), the CAS publishes two analytical notes dealing with social protection, labor law and the protection of workers in developing countries, including the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). These subjects are perfectly in the current context , since the extension of coverage of social rights has been an impressive rate in recent years in most of these countries , both because of cyclical and structural elements:

Indeed, in a crisis situation such as that which affects all economies of the world, social protection systems are countercyclical tools that can effectively fight against the effects of the crisis on the labor market.

In addition, emerging countries, which bear witness of a greater social maturity associated with financial flexibility more important, recognize the need to strengthen internal engines of growth to ensure sustainable economic growth.

It is in this context that fit these two analytical notes . They thus establish balance informed of the situation of social protection, labor law and the protection of workers in emerging countries and BRICS in particular, highlighting recent developments in this area, they also offer one analysis challenges that these countries have to meet to extend coverage of social rights, possibly with the support of cooperation with France and the European Union.

Analytical note 300 - Social protection in the BRICS

In June, the ILO took a recommendation on the notion of " social protection floor ", which requires that any State should adopt a universal health care and a safety net for the poorest , giving one new visibility to this central question.

Was able to attend the recent years the rapid development of social protection in the BRICS , which if it is not unique among developing countries, takes a special significance because of the size of these states and their place in global growth.

However, many challenges remain both in terms of funding apprehension and inclusion of all people , that France and the European Union could help address through a policy of cooperation.

Analytical note 301 - Labour law and worker protection in developing countries

Just like the whole social protection, labor law and the protection of workers have been public policies in many developing countries , led by states but also the social partners and civil society who demonstrate an increasing ability to mobilize to this end.

However, there is still much to be done as these protections are still most often reserved for a minority of workers in formal employment, which usually represent only 50% of the workforce in these countries (55% in Brazil and 47% China) and to less than 10% in India.

Moreover, the wide variety of solutions priorities as established in emerging countries makes problematic the adoption of a binding legal base effective at international level.

However, the multiplication of  initiatives for cooperation and complementary actions between national and international actors in the recent period, whether public or private , is a major vector of strengthening labor rights and social protection in countries emerging.