As labour markets change due to interconnected transformations related to climate, demographic, technological changes and structural transformations, social protection systems are key in protecting people and economies from shocks and stresses, and promoting social and economic development. Zooming into the relationship between employment and social protection, the paper develops a vision for universal social protection systems to respond to current and future labour market challenges in a sustainable and equitable way, to promote decent work and social justice.

The paper is structured as follows: Chapter 2 sketches out the current situation, highlighting the coverage gaps for certain categories of workers and for the population at large, that inhibits the capacity of countries to address today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. Chapter 3 lays out key priorities for adapting social protection systems to a changing labour market context. Chapter 4 revisits the important role of social insurance within universal social protection systems and argues for new ways of combining contributions and tax financing. Chapter 5 concludes with a vision for universal social protection systems that can respond to current and future challenges in a sustainable and equitable way, as part of a coherent framework of employment and social protection policies that promote decent work and social justice.