Result achieved
Outcome summary
1. The Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) adopted in July 2022 the first Implementation Plan 2022-2023 for the National Strategy of Social Protection 2021-2030 (NSSP). It is estimated that in 2022, the changes led to an increase in the n...
Outcome achieved
1. The Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) adopted in July 2022 the first Implementation Plan 2022-2023 for the National Strategy of Social Protection 2021-2030 (NSSP). It is estimated that in 2022, the changes led to an increase in the number of beneficiaries of approximately 22% representing 150,000 individuals. This represents an additional cost of 1.7% of non-oil GDP. In August 2023, MSSI updated the cost estimates and projections for the NSSP policy reforms, which have fed into the Implementation Plan. It will serve to prepare the 2024 State General Budget. A cost update was done for the Bolsa da Mae Jerasaun Foun, the conditional cash transfer Bolsa da Mae, social pension, school feeding programme, and maternal and child health care.
2. The amount of social pension for elderly and people unable to work increased in 2022 from US$30 to US$57 per month. The School feeding programme benefit also increased from US$0.25 to US$0.42 per day per child in 2022.
ILO's contribution to the outcome
With support of contributions from the Government of Portugal and the GIZ, the ILO provided technical assistance to the MSSI to develop, translate, and publish the first Implementation Plan 2022-2023 of the NSSP 2021-2030.
The ILO provided technical assistance to the MSSI to update the costing of the policy reforms approved by the NSSP 2021-2030, which is reflected in the Annual Implementation Plans of the NSSP.
The ILO assisted the National Institute of Social Security to develop and deliver the national and community campaigns to promote the understanding of the social security system and strengthen capacities of local social security services and authorities. This included two radio campaigns in Tetum and Portuguese, one on the relevance of social security and another on the voluntary regime of social security for informal workers. These were broadcasted nationally, between December 2021 and January 2022, and at community level. It also included the delivery of awareness-raising materials to the INSS on the relevance of social security; what is the social security mandatory regime; what is the social security voluntary regime.
The ILO organized for a tripartite group of 33 constituents a week of training between 24 and 28 of July 2023 on "how to extend social security to groups of difficult coverage", which aimed to strengthen diagnostic and analytical capabilities as well as the definition and implementation of policies and programs for the extension of social security to groups that are difficult to reach, with a focus on the informal economy. The participants formulated policy proposals which were discussed with decision makers from key government institutions, social partners and professional organizations.
Gender equality & non-discrimination
Indicator 8.1.1. The new universal cash transfer - Bolsa da Mae Jerasaun Foun, which started implementation in 2022, includes two important universal allowances, the Pregnancy Allowance aimed at protecting women during pregnancy and, the Child Allowance aimed at protecting children during early childhood, with a Disability Supplement for children living with a disability or chronic illness. This new cash transfer is allowing pregnant women and children who were left behind to have access to social assistance programs and access to primary health care.
Indicator 8.2.1: The work around statistics of social protection aims to produce the key indicators of social protection, including the following indicators: Proportion of women giving birth covered by maternity, Proportion of female labour force covered by employer liability in case of maternity.
In addition, the data will be disaggregated by sex when data is available.
Indicator 6.3.1: The Pocket Guide on Preventing and Addressing Violence and Harassment in the World of Work provides guidance to build an inclusive, integrated and gender-responsive approach to preventing and addressing violence and harassment at Work. The draft law against violence and harassment provides protection for gender equality and non discrimination.
SDG
Goals
- End poverty in all its forms everywhere
- Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls