When the ISSA membership discussed shocks and extreme events as one of the ten global challenges for social security at the World Social Security Forum last October, we could not imagine just how immediate this challenge was. Only nine months later, the COVID-19 crisis has not only profoundly changed the environment in which social security operates. It has also once again demonstrated the paramount importance of social security for societies to cope with shocks and extreme events.

You can now view the video recordings of the ISSA Webinar Series: “Delivering social security in times of COVID-19”, including high-level presentations by senior representatives of ISSA members.

Social security systems and institutions have played a key role as part of national responses to the health social and economic impact of the coronavirus crisis. From the onset of the crisis, the ISSA has systematically collected information on these measures. 

In Spain, the government introduced a significant number of social security measures to mitigate the health, social and economic impact of COVID-19. The National Social Security Institute (INSS) and the General Treasury of Social Security (TGSS) have played a key role in implementing these measures.

In the People’s Republic of China, social security measures were an important component of the government’s emergency response in the context of COVID-19. The combination of adaptations to social security contributions and benefits with adjustments to operational processes and service delivery approaches enabled the social security system to contribute effectively to mitigating the economic and social impact of the crisis. 

On the occasion of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April, ISSA paid tribute to all the courageous health workers who risk their lives to save others during the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

Families and children are among the population groups heavily affected by the COVID-19 crisis, and social security systems have responded rapidly to meet their specific needs. Many families are experiencing a significant drop in household income due to economic restrictions, and organizing childcare has been an important challenge in view of school and nursery closures.

The future of work is a challenge for social security systems around the world. While participation in platform work or the “gig economy” is still relatively small – approximately one per cent of the global adult population – this is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. 

The International Social Security Association (ISSA) is pleased to announce that the Regional Social Security Forum for the Americas (RSSF) will take place in San José, Costa Rica, 2–4 December 2020, at the invitation of the Social Insurance Fund of Costa Rica (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social –  CCSS). 

The ISSA is pleased to inform ISSA members that Vol. 73  No. 1(2020) of the International Social Security Review is now available online. ISSA members can access the latest edition via the ISSA website. Simply login to the ISSA website and gain free access to the publication.