First published in 1948, the International Social Security Review is the principal international quarterly publication in the field of social security.
To conclude this special double issue, this article addresses four questions related to the strategic pursuit of, what the ISSA calls, Dynamic Social Security (DSS). Based on the evidence of the presented national case studies, social security policy reform priorities differ depending on the level of national economic development, the maturity of the social security system and issues of political economy. Against this backdrop, it is concluded that while general reform trends may be consistent with the objectives defined by DSS, there is important – and often appropriate – divergence across national social security practices.
This special double issue of the International Social Security Review addresses the question of the essential roles that national social security systems play in contributing to social and economic objectives and does so through the lens of the Dynamic Social Security conceptual framework. In 2007, the International Social Security Association adopted Dynamic Social Security as the strategic concept to guide its actions. The concept aims to positively influence two outcomes: improvements in social security coverage outcomes and improvements in social security administration. The set of papers comprising this issue tackle questions relating primarily to the former. On the basis of country examples, the broad aim of this special issue is to take stock of the strategic concept and its "dimensions" as a framework to guide the sustainable development of social security systems.
The International Social Security Association's (ISSA) Dynamic Social Security conceptual framework has been developed as a tool to identify and analyse current and emerging challenges in social security policy and administrative practice and to guide decision-makers in developing effective and sustainable responses to these. The longer-term core objective of the framework is to help extend social security coverage to all through the development of effective social security systems that contributed to socially inclusive and economically productive societies. As revealed by an examination of the ISSA's work priorities, perceptions of the framework have evolved over time. In some instances greater emphasis has been given by the Association to policy analysis, especially in support of the objective of coverage extension. More recently the emphasis has been placed on the practical necessity to support the development of higher performing social security administrations; a core mission objective of the ISSA. In looking to identify future challenges (megatrends) that hold the potential to impact negatively upon social security programmes and administrations, and to develop appropriate responses to these, the ISSA should keep sight of the fact that Dynamic Social Security has an essential analytical role as well as a practical one.
Nigeria has a predominantly youthful population and limited job opportunities in the formal labour market, which makes the search for formal employment difficult and can be conducive to the growth of exploitative working conditions. As one response to address the vulnerability of Nigerian workers, the Employee's Compensation Act was passed into law in December 2010. Of note, the Act includes provisions for compensation for mental health injuries, or “mental stress”, suffered in the course of employment. The article examines the strengths and weaknesses of the provisions, in particular the premise for mental health injury claims made in the Act. The wider policy implications of the Act as regards the development of compensation for mental health injuries in sub‐Saharan Africa are discussed and suggestions for the future review of the Act offered.
This article analyses the risk of disability facing workers who contribute to the Argentinian Integrated Social Security System (Sistema Integrado Previsional Argentino— SIPA). Using administrative records as our source of data for the period 2000‐2006, the results indicate that 1.46 workers per 1,000 became disabled annually during that period. The risk of disability rates were higher for men than for women, but increased with age for both sexes. The risk of disability rates have also been broken down by pathology and social security scheme, taking the effects of age and sex into account. To conclude, international comparisons are presented.