ORF Online has published a policy brief titled “Jobs and Social Protection: Rethinking Labour Market Policy in the Global South.” The document urges governments and development agencies to redesign labour market interventions so that they are closely linked with social protection measures.
The analysis notes that many economies in the Global South continue to rely heavily on informal work, which often lacks basic benefits such as health coverage, unemployment insurance, or pension schemes. It argues that without integrating social safeguards, job‑creation programmes may fail to deliver sustainable improvements in living standards.
According to the brief, effective policy redesign should address several interrelated challenges: high youth unemployment, gender disparities in labour participation, and the vulnerability of workers to economic shocks. The authors suggest that coordinated approaches—combining skills training, wage subsidies, and expanded social insurance—could enhance both job quality and economic resilience.
The report also highlights the importance of data‑driven planning. It calls for better monitoring of labour market trends and social protection coverage to inform targeted interventions. By aligning fiscal resources with evidence‑based programmes, policymakers could improve the efficiency of public spending.
While the brief does not prescribe a single model, it emphasizes the need for flexible frameworks that can be adapted to local contexts. It encourages collaboration between ministries of labour, finance, and social welfare, as well as partnerships with international organisations.
The publication concludes that rethinking labour market policy in the Global South is essential for achieving inclusive growth and reducing poverty. It calls on stakeholders to prioritize integrated strategies that simultaneously generate decent work and provide robust social protection for vulnerable populations.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Reuters World (Google News) — original source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuAFBVV95cUxQLWFxNGJYdGxSWE42UTRVVzY5aVNDcTJMbTJadVh5Ym8xSVNZS2NUMHNueWhRMzF3WjhQMTRDNkdqWndERHhhckFzemRrWERwVi1jaTZKTW9Sd3RPVnlaTHlka0c4ZXFodUUxTTJvdnNQZGdBbXhzMFVOeWJXdFNST3ozN0c5NDBBTW9tQmkyVndRMTNjMkxfOENPRWt6WlRBaHBQQ2plQVYwbVlNclRCd3FVTXZWc2lC?oc=5.