16: The right to social security at the core of decent work and social justice

Overview & Synopsis

This chapter examines the pivotal role of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in establishing an international normative framework for the right to social security. It explores the evolution of this right within international law and the ILO's contributions to shaping national legal frameworks and their implementation through social protection systems. The chapter delves into the normative content of the right to social security, emphasizing the significance of international social security standards in building robust national social protection systems. It examines the impact of ratifying and applying these standards on national law and practice, and how regional instruments have amplified their effects. The chapter concludes by discussing the necessary legal and policy advancements to achieve the objective of universal protection.