Policy Reforms in Philippine Social Protection and Labor Systems Beyond COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the disproportionate vulnerability to poverty of informally employed workers, the unemployed youth, and retired senior citizens with no pension, and highlighted the need for a stronger social contract that will protect vulnerable segments of the population against the risks and hazards that lead to income loss and impoverishment. The coverage of the existing social security programs has remained largely limited to regular employment in the formal sector. Policy reforms in social protection and labor systems are needed to lift households out of poverty, transition the unemployed and the informally employed workers to productive and decent work, reduce the inequalities across populations and regions that hamper economic growth, and build resilience against future adverse employment and economic shocks.