Social protection floors at the center of debates

About thirty unionists coming from different Arab countries participated from 6th to 8th of September 2016 at a regional workshop on the promotion of social protection floors in the MENA region.

This meeting, the first of its kind in the region was organized by FES, the Bureau of Workers Activities (ACTRAV) and ATUC.

Insecurity, fragility of social security systems in the Arab countries and the weakness of the available services were the main topics discussed between the participants.

Experts from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) explained the Convention 102 convention concerning social security (minimum standards) and Recommendation 202 about social protection floor, also presented a global image of the security situation and social protection in the world.

At the end of three days of work and a series of workshops, the main challenges to face were defined, and a strategic plan of control and follow-up was discussed.

This meeting will be continued, to create a network of Arab unionists to reinforce and promote the social protection floor in the region.