How is Convention 102 a tool for the extension of social security?
Convention 102 is the only Convention that sets minimum standards for branches of social security. It lists nine social security branches covering all social security risks, and protects the rights of the insured by guaranteeing minimum standards of protection. It contains the following flexibility clauses: • It takes into account countries’ different socio-economic levels by providing specific temporary exceptions (e.g., coverage of 50% of all employees working at industrial establishments of 20 persons or more); • The countries have the possibility of initially ratifying 3 social security branches and ratifying further ones at a later stage, according to their socio-economic situation. This is regarded as an incentive for extension of social security coverage.Once C. 102 is ratified, State parties benefit from ILO experience in the field of social protection and from technical assistance, including policy advice and actuarial studies, collection of data, etc.
