International Social Security Association Research Articles

Introduction: Making the case to formally revise the international social security standards to include long‐term care for the elderly

AbstractFirst published in April 1948 as the Bulletin of the International Social Security Association, this year marks the 75th anniversary of what, since January 1967, we have all come to know as the International Social Security Review. To mark this important anniversary, this special double issue, “The human right to long‐term care for the elderly: Extending the role of social security programmes”, talks to current debates on social security coverage extension in a context of population ageing. There is a case to be made for revising the international social security standards to formally recognize long‐term care for the elderly, possibly as a distinct branch of social security. At the heart of this discussion, the questions to be addressed by all countries are the roles that social security systems can and should play in helping to meet the long‐term medical and social care needs of elders.

Applying emerging data-driven technologies in social security. Country experiences and ISSA guidelines

The application of ICT is enabling the implementation of increasingly comprehensive social security systems throughout the world as well as the transformation of social security services. In particular, the so-called data-driven innovation enables social security institutions to improve products, processes and organisational methods. In this line, social security institutions are progressively applying emerging technologies, such as Analytics, Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence. While the pairing of analytics and big data allows for the performing of sophisticated analyses on increasingly large databases, Artificial Intelligence enables for automating processes and assisting staff in tasks requiring human decisions. However, the application of such emerging data-driven technologies brings with it many challenges, mainly the complexities of combining the adoption of not fully tested technologies with the required stability of critical operational processes and differences in the application of development processes. This paper addresses these issues and presents an overview of emerging data-driven technologies and their current application in social security institutions. It also presents guidelines supporting the application of data-driven technologies in social security developed by the International Social Security Association (ISSA).

“Vision Zero” Concept as a Tool for the Effective Occupational Safety Management System Formation in JSC “SUEK-Kuzbass”

At present, in Russia, as in many countries, the issues of reducing industrial injuries, as well as increasing the effectiveness of measures taken by employers in the field of industrial safety and introducing a culture of safe work, are widely discussed. The relevance of the topic is due to the fact that Russia is a participant in the Vision Zero campaign, founded by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). The article discusses the history of the emergence and development of the Vision Zero strategy from the corporate to the international level, provides the goals and objectives of the concept of “zero injuries”, studies the indicators of its implementation, and analyzes injuries at coal enterprises of the Russian Federation. As a result, a methodology for solving the tasks in the form of a list of necessary measures and target indicators of their achievement was proposed based on the example of one of the largest coal companies—JSC “SUEK-Kuzbass”. Based on the results of studies, the main conclusion has been formulated—the “Vision Zero” concept is an effective tool to promote an effective occupational safety management system.

Vision zero: Developing proactive leading indicators for safety, health and wellbeing at work

The importance of leading occupational safety and health (OSH) indicators in complementing lagging indicators is an emerging topic for the promotion of a prevention culture in organizations. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development process of a set of proactive leading indicators for safety, health and wellbeing (SHW) at work, which was carried out as part of the International Social Security Association’s (ISSA) Vision Zero strategy. Principles of integrated knowledge transfer and exchange between research, policy and practice were followed in both the conception and development phases, and a mixed methods approach was applied across four stages consisting of: a literature review and input from industry; a quantitative evaluation through an online survey; a qualitative evaluation through feedback from organizational representatives and key stakeholders; and a consensus building workshop with the ISSA Steering Committee. A set of fourteen indicators was developed to complement the ISSA Vision Zero strategy, two in relation to each of its seven golden rules for promoting SHW at work. The indicators deal with integrating each aspect of SHW in e.g. visible and competent leadership, procurement, pre-work briefings, evaluating risk management and targeted programmes, learning from unplanned events, innovation and change, work organization, onboarding and refresher training. Results can be presented qualitatively and quantitatively as e.g. ‘yes’ or ‘no’ responses, on a Likert or continuum (five–point) scale, or with frequencies and percentages. The indicators are designed for use by both small and large organizations across all sectors, and can be used for benchmarking and as key performance indicators. They are not only intended to better direct and control SHW processes, but also to support the development of a prevention culture. Recommendations are provided on how the indicators can be refined and improved through future research.

Introduction: Social security, inclusive growth and social cohesion

AbstractThis special issue selectively addresses the relationship linking social security systems, inclusive growth and social cohesion. Inclusive growth and social cohesion are viewed as political expedient and necessary goals for national economies. The desirability of their attainment reflects political pragmatism, the “social contract”, as much as it does a commitment to the wider emancipative goal of social justice. The International Social Security Association (ISSA) has often paraphrased these assertions to argue that there can be “no social justice without social security”. Of course, progress achieved towards the realization of the goals of inclusive growth and social cohesion should be equally beneficial for the adequacy, sustainability and coverage of social security systems. The aim of this special issue is to unpack and better understand the nature of this relationship.

Using microdata for international e-Government data exchange: The case of social security domain

Semantic interoperability issues of international e-Government data exchanges have not been solved up until now. In the case of social security institutions, the data exchange operations have some particularities that make that the non-ambiguous definition of core concepts used in the institutions has a key impact on the success and quality of system interconnections. In this article, we present the result of a research to implement a new metadata specification based in Dublin Core elements for international social security exchanges, named Exchange Social Security Information Metadata (ESSIM). This proposal is based in a semantic approach using Linked Data for Interoperability, with technologies, such as RDF(S), SPARQL, Microdata and JSON-LD, in order to ensure interoperability between social security institutions from different countries. This will help to strengthen the protection of the social security rights of mobile workers by automating the application of international agreements on social security and to improve cross border communication between social security institutions of different countries. For the near future, the goal is to include this specification as part of information and communication technology Guidelines under development by International Social Security Association with the participation of authors of this article. This will facilitate a future adoption of the specification as an international standard.

From national to European frameworks for understanding the role of occupational health and safety (OHS) specialists

An important phase in the development of a new profession is the process of comparison of the tasks, education, training, certification and regulation of its proponents across different countries, to understand whether there are sufficient commonalities to call it a recognised international profession. This paper traces in particular the processes and results of comparisons of OHS specialists’ roles, functions and knowledge and skills requirements. The work was conducted under the auspices of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) and the European Network of Safety and Health Professional Organisations (ENSHPO and its precursors). The paper starts with a historical review of European collaboration in this field and a description of the ways in which relevant data were collected and analysed to provide insights into the role and functions of OHS specialists in Europe. The paper describes how these insights were captured into the criteria for professionalisation and a voluntary certification process at a pan-European level.

International Constructions of Social Security and Public Health: Policy Intersections 1920–1970

The problems of national health insurance played a prominent, but shifting role in the formation of global health policy. This paper uses the work of Geneva based organizations from the end of the First World War to the 1970s to explore the crossing points between health policy and social security. From its formation the League of Nations Health Organisation had an uneasy dialogue with the social insurance and security approaches adopted by the International Labour Organization and the International Social Security Association. When the social insurance concerns of the interwar year broadened into ‘social security’, largely led by the ILO, this debate spilled over into conflicts over the leadership of global social policy and carried over into the early years of WHO. Conflicts centred on the difficult relationship between national health insurance and the other elements of what became the welfare state. The paper identifies the difficulties of constructing a global policy space for action on health security.

Introduction: Reflecting on the human right to social security

AbstractThe United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 asserts that social security is an inalienable human right. Realizing this human right is often considered, simply, as a matter of political will and of administrative aptitude. In these terms, the progressive realization of the human right to social security may be viewed as the outcome of an appropriately‐resourced political and bureaucratic process. Such a perspective, however, is clearly inadequate. Characteristically, bureaucracies are designed to cater to the needs of all, based on common procedures and common deliverables designed for the “typical” case. Yet such approaches often lack the necessary flexibility and resources to make a distinction between individuals, which acknowledge their respective differences and needs. To meet the international commitment to progressively realize universal social security coverage, social security administrations are key actors. However imperative this role may be, if the pursuit of this commitment fails to respect people's differences this will put at risk the meeting in full of what is envisioned by the human right to social security. To this end, this special issue aims to foster an understanding that the goal of universal coverage must necessarily also respect and respond to the individual needs of each and every person.

Approaches to Occupational Rehabilitation and Return to Work in Four Jurisdictions: A Cross-National Analysis From the Perspective of the ISSA Guidelines on Return to Work and Reintegration

The guidelines published by the International Social Security Association,ISSA Guidelines: Return to Work and Reintegration, provide a policy imperative towards early intervention for people with nonoccupational health conditions at risk of exiting the workforce and moving to disability dependency. Socioeconomic and fiscal imperatives have been demonstrated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) review on sickness, disability and work (OECD, 2010), and by an accumulating evidence base for effectiveness. This study explored how social protection agencies are responding in terms of employment rehabilitation services for employed people with acquired disabilities. Specifically, this study reviewed job retention and return processes for workers with nonoccupational health conditions from the perspective of the ISSA guidelines in four jurisdictions with differing system frameworks. The methods used included a review of relevant literature and web resources and gathering detailed system descriptions from national respondents. Although the jurisdictions differed in the concepts used, service context, the structure of welfare systems and eligibility criteria, there was evidence of an acknowledgement of the needs of employed people with disabilities. This was not, however, consistently reflected in procedures, processes or outcome measurements. While some promising characteristics were identified, there was substantial room for improvement in the job retention and return to work strategies of the relevant agencies in all four jurisdictions. It was concluded that the deployment of theISSA Guidelines: Return to Work and Reintegration, published in 2013, had yet to make a substantial impact on services and approaches in the domain of nonoccupational health conditions in these jurisdictions.

Coordinating social programmes: Analysis of scenarios and implementation approaches based on the ISSA Guidelines on ICT

AbstractThe development of social security policies and programmes raises the need for their coordination to enhance effectiveness as well as to prevent the fragmentation of social policies, programmes and services. Although there are expected benefits, implementing coordinated programmes poses significant technical challenges, which increase the complexities and costs of projects and hinder the achievement of such initiatives. Some of the main difficulties are related to system and information integration (Interoperability) as well as the ability to enforce data security and privacy regulations. To help meet such challenges, the International Social Security Association (ISSA) has developed Guidelines on Information and Communication Technology to support the integrated ICT‐based implementation of social programmes. This article reviews existing scenarios, discusses the benefits and challenges of coordinated approaches, and offers models to show how to implement such types of systems while applying the ISSA Guidelines.

Introduction: Pursuing excellence in social security administration

AbstractThis 2016 special issue addresses the topic of excellence in social security administration. For the International Social Security Association, “excellence” is most usually associated with ensuring that the technical processes and administrative procedures that underpin the delivery of social security benefits and services are high‐performing, well‐governed and sustainable. But it also refers to the covered population’s perceptions of the quality and adequacy of the services and benefits provided. The academic literature on “social security” is immense, but the larger part of this published research addresses questions of social security theory and policy. The critical, analytical literature on social security administration, including that which marries theoretical analysis with the empirical evidence of administrative performance, is thus smaller. A major aim of this special issue is to make a contribution to redressing this imbalance. This is done not only to support and stimulate research that draws equally on empirical evidence and the theoretical literature, but in a very practical sense to better take into account and provide responses to the increasingly complex operational challenges facing social security administrations

SEVERAL ASPECTS OF STANDARDIZATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICES AND INTEGRATION OF SOCIAL SECTOR OF ECONOMY IN PROCESS OF REDUCTION OF VULNERABILITY OF POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ITS RESILIENCE

In the article, the author, based on eight directives of International Social Security Association (ISSA) published in Russian, concludes that the goals of social security system should be reconsidered thoroughly taking into account the aims of human development formulated in United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Revisiting ISSA's Dynamic Social Security: 2007–2014, and beyond

AbstractThe International Social Security Association's (ISSA) Dynamic Social Security conceptual framework has been developed as a tool to identify and analyse current and emerging challenges in social security policy and administrative practice and to guide decision‐makers in developing effective and sustainable responses to these. The longer‐term core objective of the framework is to help extend social security coverage to all through the development of effective social security systems that contributed to socially inclusive and economically productive societies. As revealed by an examination of the ISSA's work priorities, perceptions of the framework have evolved over time. In some instances greater emphasis has been given by the Association to policy analysis, especially in support of the objective of coverage extension. More recently the emphasis has been placed on the practical necessity to support the development of higher performing social security administrations; a core mission objective of the ISSA. In looking to identify future challenges (megatrends) that hold the potential to impact negatively upon social security programmes and administrations, and to develop appropriate responses to these, the ISSA should keep sight of the fact that Dynamic Social Security has an essential analytical role as well as a practical one.

Dynamic Social Security: A necessary condition for inclusive societies and economic development

AbstractThis special double issue of the International Social Security Review addresses the question of the essential roles that national social security systems play in contributing to social and economic objectives and does so through the lens of the Dynamic Social Security conceptual framework. In 2007, the International Social Security Association adopted Dynamic Social Security as the strategic concept to guide its actions. The concept aims to positively influence two outcomes: improvements in social security coverage and improvements in social security administration. The set of papers comprising this issue tackle questions relating primarily to the former. On the basis of country examples, the broad aim of this special issue is to take stock of the strategic concept and its “dimensions” as a framework to guide the sustainable development of social security systems.

Innovative social and labour market policies in Europe in times of crisis

Employment is crucial for people’s well-being and economic growth. Promoting job creation and tackling the economic and social consequences of unemployment, underemployment and preventing social exclusion are a priority for all our countries. Although G20 countries are at different stages of development and there is no “one size fits all” labour market policy, G20 countries will benefit from well-designed, integrated and consistent public policies.(G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Declaration, 18–19 July 2013) Since 2008, the global economic and financial crisis and subsequent austerity measures are estimated to have resulted in the loss of 10 million jobs across Europe. Moreover, fiscal consolidation measures have led to reductions in funding for social security and related labour market measures across most European welfare settings. Within these constraints, innovative social security and labour market measures have been developed to enable inclusivity whilst also promoting the structural resilience of labour markets to economic recession. Structural issues of underemployment and wage depression have significantly intensified this challenge. For the purposes of this themed issue, a pragmatic definition of innovation where “mainstream” policies within specific national contexts serve as the point of reference for qualifying policies as “new” or innovative is adopted. Critically addressing the underlying rationale, scope and impacts of specific social security and employment measures across a number of European countries, this themed issue aims to assess the characteristics and impact of innovative social security and employment policies in promoting key labour market objectives. These key objectives include the use of short-term policy instruments to counteract the impact of economic crises on the employability and labour market access of vulnerable groups and those aimed at improving the long-term capacity and resilience of distinct European societies and labour markets to cope with economic crises and labour market restructuring. This set of themed papers has been chosen to be published by the International Social Security Review because the subject matter coincides and is supportive of the topical priorities of the International Social Security Association for the triennium 2014–2016; namely, i) they investigate a number of proposed innovative responses as regards to how social security programmes may better support social cohesion and economic growth and ii) address issues related to how social security programmes may better adapt their current practices to cater to the needs of “atypical” population groups. Within this issue, “atypical” groups are defined as vulnerable groups within the labour market including young people (younger than age 25), migrants and disabled workers. Employment figures reveal that the unemployment rate in these groups is significantly higher than the average unemployment rate in all European countries.

Critical factors in implementing the ISSA Guidelines on return to work and re-integration in developing world contexts

The International Social Security Association (ISSA) “Guidelines on Return-to-Work and Reintegration” (the Guidelines) chronicles good practice models, policies and procedures which have successfully been implemented by social security institutions in respect of return-to-work and reintegration. Models have specifically been developed by ISSA in order to identify approaches that will enable decision-makers in social security institutions to benefit from global experience in this area. In particular, the Guidelines are designed to: outline strategic options for social security institutions in order to achieve these outcomes; stimulate discussion around good practice return-to-work programmes for social security institutions; identify critical success design elements; and offer practical implementation tools.Return-to-work of occupationally injured and diseased workers, and the management of their disabilities, is an area clearly in need of reform in the developing world. The proposed contribution focuses on the recent experiences of two middle-to-high income developing countries, namely Malaysia and South Africa, who are at different stages of introducing and implementing detailed return-to-work measures. The paper considers salient aspects of the seven “Specific Return-to-work Principles and Guidelines” (the Specific Guidelines, contained in Part B of the Guidelines) and matches these against the approaches adopted / being adopted by Malaysia and South Africa respectively. This methodology is designed to provide a comparative, context-specific sample of the application of selected issues emerging from the Specific Guidelines in order to provide some pointers for purposes of extrapolating how return-to-work and reintegration might be introduced and implemented in other (middle-to-high income) countries in the developing world.The paper acknowledges the tremendous challenges faced by developing countries in introducing and implementing return-to-work and reintegration arrangements, but focuses instead on the application of Specific Guidelines such as “early intervention” and an “individualized approach” in Malaysia and South Africa. The paper draws on constitutional frameworks, draft and existing legislation, policy statements and judicial precedent in order to demonstrate the extent to which the two countries have already been able to integrate selected best practice principles, which are now contained in the Specific Guidelines, in their respective approaches. The paper accordingly holds the potential to demonstrate that the sentiments contained in the Guidelines are practically implementable and ought, therefore, to be carefully considered and analysed by other countries seeking to introduce similar return-to-work and rehabilitation initiatives.

International standards on return to work for social security institutions

The Guidelines on Return to Work and Reintegration of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) in Geneva published 2013 provides key-elements for successful disability management programs worldwide: Early intervention, personal-centred, work-place orientated, holistic-driven and multi-disciplined approach. Lots of tools and good practice from various countries and stakeholders in prevention and rehabilitation support the efforts of retaining and restore the employability of persons with disabilities within societies. The lecture offers an overview of the ISSA Guidelines and how they could be used as standard in social security institutions.

The JPC-SE Position Statement on Asbestos : A Long-Overdue Appeal by Epidemiologists to Ban Asbestos Worldwide and End Related Global Environmental Injustice

The JPC-SE <i>Position Statement on Asbestos</i> : A Long-Overdue Appeal by Epidemiologists to Ban Asbestos Worldwide and End Related Global Environmental Injustice

Tareas, roles y expectativas en los profesionales de servicios de prevención

To describe the professional activities commonly performed by occupational health and safety professionals and their level of satisfaction. We conducted a survey in a sample of 236 health and safety practitioners employed in free-standing occupational health services located in the Balearic Islands, Andalusia and Madrid between November 2009 and May 2010. The survey instrument was based on the questionnaire proposed by the International Social Security Association and the European Network of Safety & Health Practitioner Organisations (ISSA-ENSHPO). The tasks most frequently performed by health and safety professionals in our sample (described as being performed at least monthly by 80% or more of respondents) are risk assessment, proposing preventive measures, providing information and training. Certain tasks, such as establishing staff selection criteria or performing cost-benefit analyses, are generally considered (by more than 50% of respondents) to be outside the scope of work for health and safety practitioners. Respondents would like to devote more time to their tasks, especially those related to their own continuing education and communication within the company. Health and safety professionals in our sample mostly perform tasks related to technical assessments of the workplace, worker training and information dissemination. There is a desire for greater involvement in professional knowledge management and human relations in the company.