International labour and social security standards: a developing country critique

Abstract

Emphasizing the need for international standards to appreciate the realities of developing countries, the contribution highlights some of the problems experienced in this context: weak ratification of international labour and social security instruments, the lack of appropriate standards and coverage as regards informal economy workers, inadequacies in the material sphere of coverage emanating from these standards, and deficiencies in respect of standard-setting and -enforcement. It suggests that there is need for a reorientation and reconceptualization of international labour and social security standards, supported by a change in approach to assist developing countries in achieving outcomes that are aligned with international standards, and involving those affected by the extension debate in the design of appropriate standards and interventions.