The world has dramatically changed in the past weeks. The COVID-19 crisis is affecting our professional and private lives in a way that was unthinkable only a few weeks ago.

The ISSA launches the “Coronavirus – Social Security Responses” online monitor to provide information on how social security contributes to addressing the economic and social consequences of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

The ISSA General Secretariat wishes to inform all ISSA member institutions that mandatory teleworking has been introduced for all ISSA staff in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of emergency measures to support companies in the context of the dramatically decreasing economic activity due to the coronavirus, many governments and social security institutions have temporarily postponed or reduced social security contribution obligations.

Cash sickness benefit schemes have historically been among the first social security measures put in place. As the coronavirus crisis unfolds, such schemes are receiving renewed attention, and governments are expanding them significantly.

In view of the large reduction in economic activity and disruptions in supply chains in the context of the coronavirus crisis, a number of governments have taken urgent measures to introduce or significantly extend partial unemployment and short-term work schemes.

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day on 8 March, the ISSA interviewed two of many women in our global community of social security institutions.

It is no secret that in virtually all countries, women earn less than men. Globally, the gender pay gap is 40 per cent. In other words, a woman earns 60 cents for every dollar earned by a man. This has many societal implications, of course, but what is often overlooked is the impact that this pay gap has on pensions and pension benefits after retirement.

In response to the new challenges emerging from aging populations, changing family structures, new technologies and the evolving labour market, the International Social Security Association (ISSA) is creating a new Special Workgroup on Rehabilitation.

The ISSA Liaison Office for Central Africa’s Steering Committee held its annual meeting during the ISSA World Social Security Forum 2019, where they decided to relocate the Office’s headquarters from Libreville, Gabon, to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The transfer ceremony took place in Kinshasa on 4 March 2020, followed by a Technical Seminar on Error, Evasion and Fraud in Social Security.

The ISSA member institution Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) from Malaysia again demonstrated strong commitment to ISSA activities by hosting the Technical Seminar on Digitalization and new forms of work in Kuala Lumpur from 18-20 February. Over 150 participants from 30 countries shared knowledge and practical experiences in this event jointly organized by the Technical Commissions on Contribution Collection and Compliance and Work Injury, and the Special Commission on Prevention.

Johan Verstraeten deeply believed in the values of social security, social justice and international collaboration. When he became the President of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) in 1998, debates about the future role of public social security systems in protecting people were at their height. During the six years of his Presidency until 2004, Johan Verstraeten provided important leadership in ensuring that the ISSA’s voice was heard by members, policymakers and international organizations. The ISSA Initiative to strengthen social security systems globally was one of the major achievements during his tenure.