1. virtuous cycle of development
A Global Business Network for Social Protection Floors
- engaging enterprises towards the achievement of SDG Target 1.3 -
What is the Global Business Network for Social Protection Floors?
Why is social protection key for enterprises?
The Network aims to be:
A peer-to-peer information sharing platform for those enterprises that are developing, or interested in developing social protection programmes for their employees; and
An engagement platform for enterprises to support the development of social protection systems, including floors in all countries.
It was launched at the ILO headquarters in Geneva on 28 October 2015 by the ILO Director General, Mr. Guy Ryder, and the Secretary General of the International Organization of Employers (IOE), Ms. Linda Kromjong.
The Network serves the ILO Global Flagship Programme on Building Social Protection Floors for All by providing a platform for the private sector to contribute to the installation of SPFs, and make the right to social protection a reality for all.
Social protection is one of the different measures that compose the global employee’s benefit package, complementing the salary. As such it contributes to answer the attraction and retention challenge faced by many employers around the world, and especially in developing countries where the competition for skilled workforce is higher.
Social protection supports companies’ competitiveness: social protection guaranteed to individuals leads to lower absenteeism, and greater productivity of workers. It also contributes to growth and development at a macro level.
Social protection is part of corporate social responsibility programmes of many companies, contributing to shape an employer’s ethic. The capacity to adhere to the values of an enterprise influences workers’ engagement.
Social protection is also part of the legal framework in which a company operates. Contributing to social protection schemes is a legal obligation enterprises have to comply with, including in countries where the social protection system would not fully effective nor efficient.
The Network is free of charge for enterprises that are willing to participate in the discussions and work of the Network. It is open to any enterprise that is convinced of the importance of social protection in developing a business- conducive environment, and committed to take actions to make the right to social protection a reality for its workers, their families, and their communities.
Social Protection Floors investments
Income security/schooling /training/health
Employability/ productivity
Higher household consumption and domestic demand
More decent jobs/ paying taxes
virtuous cycle of development
Structure of the Global Business Network for Social Protection Floors
A global forum, meeting once a year, and composed of:
Selected multinational enterprises
Representatives of the ILO and IOE
Other representatives based on the agenda
A global secretariat at the ILO headquarters, organised by SOCPRO, PARDEV, ENTERPRISES and ACT/EMP
National forums, composed of:
National Employers' Organizations
Selected national enterprises
Other representatives as relevant for the country
Thematic forums, composed of:
Other representatives as relevant for the thematic (e.g. employers'’ organizations, social protection organizations, academics)
Social protection is one of many component that would define the reputational risk of operating in one given country.
Differences in obligations toward social protection systems influence the competition at the country and international level.
What is the Network working on?
What have we done so far?
Strengthen the Global Business Network for Social Protection Floors:
Develop the Network’s legitimacy as the leading platform for enterprise to commit to the achievement of SDG Target 1.3
Support the further expansion of the Network 1
Document the results and impacts of social protection:
Develop knowledge regarding the linkages between social protection and the social and economic performance of enterprises:
use the experience of enterprises that have developed social protection programmes for their employees, and
identify at least one country where an impact evaluation protocol could be developed 2
Documentation of companies’ programmes and country’s cases
A training package for Employers’ Organizations with ITC-ACT/EMP
Exploration of bilateral collaborations with some enterprises
Develop a guide on social protection programmes and the use of International Labour Standards by enterprises:
Document the experiences of enterprises that have develop social protection programmes
Develop documents that would ease the understanding and use of ILS in the design and implementation of such programmes within companies 3
Develop guidelines for the private sector to engage in the establishment of SPFs:
Review country cases where concrete activities conducted by national employers’ organisations have resulted in better social protection systems
Ease the engagement of entreprises to support national employeurs’ organisations in the field of social protection 4