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New York. The International Labour Organization (ILO) reported that 80% of the world's population lack access to social protection mechanisms such as pensions or subsidised food and this figure might increase in the months to come.



“Social protection is a human right although we seem to have forgotten that for a very long time”. "Only 20% of the global population has actually access to social protection mechanisms”, said Michael Cichon – ILO's Social Security Department Director – during a press conference.



In his opinion, what is “most shocking” is that just 2% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would suffice to give basic security systems to the world's most vulnerable population.



“Social transfers represent the most powerful tool a country has to redistribute income and combat poverty," Mr. Cichon said.



This ILO senior official is participating in the meetings of United Nations Commission on Social Development in New York this week with the aim of establishing a “social protection floor”.



The work carried out by said commission in these days will be analysed at the ILO meeting to be held in June 2011 that will be attended by governmental authorities, businessmen and workers from its 183 member countries.



Source: Cooperativa.cl





The ILO Aims at Creating a “Basic Social Protection Network”. (Photo: UPI)



213/Translated by UNI americas