Adapting to climate crisis and shrinking space: Context in Asia in 2023 related to social protection and the INSP!R Asia issues

Only 33% of people in Southeast Asia and 24% of people in South Asia are protected by at least one area of social protection. Many countries in Asia spend less than 2% of GDP on social protection (excluding health). Advocacy to get more people better coverage at Asian level hence remains very necessary, though the lack of regional cooperation bodies hinders effective regional advocacy by our members, who most often have to through their national policy makers, which isn’t the best strategy for certain global challenges.

Asia is the continent hardest hit by climate change and witnesses increasingly frequent and more severe catastrophes. Adaptive social protection takes an integrated approach of coordination between social protection, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction to provide longer-term solutions to address the underlying causes of vulnerability and help people prepare for the impacts of climate change. ASP recognizes that social protection measures contribute to fostering households’ absorptive, adaptive, and transformational capacity to climate change with a longer-term vision for resilience. INSP!R Asia plans to have long term actions and policy advocacy to promote Adaptive Social Protection and Climate Justice as a priority in the years to come. INSP!R Asia members consider this an urgent and critically important topic for policy changes at the global, continental and national level. Countries where INSP!R Asia members live are prone to climate disasters, whether it’s fast-onset events such as super typhoons, landslides and avalanches, or slow-onset events, such as sea level rise and depletion of clean water. INSP!R Asia believes that the Loss and Damage Fund as adopted by COP27 in Sharm-El-Sheikh and its follow up discussions during COP28 Dubai, should allocate funds to make Social Protection systems adaptive. INSP!R Asia has developed a solid position paper on this topic which was debated and agreed upon by all member organizations and then shared with policy makers in Asia and South East Asia. Moreover, partner organization are encouraged to include this topic into the existing programs and activities where possible and relevant. 

Shrinking democratic space for CSOs and trade unions is getting more worrisome in Asia region. More and more often, policy makers or economic actors are bypassing or blatantly ignoring social dialogue with CSOs and Trade unions, sabotaging tripartite mechanisms and forums where CSOs usually enter in social dialogue with the government. Therefore, we need to adapt our strategy for policy advocacy and strengthen networking with other CSOs and unions in the region who share our vision and build stronger alliances as partners with the same goals for social justice and prosperity. Meanwhile, INSP!R members have to be more aware of potential surveillance, conduct safer communication, creating safe spaces for physical meetings, be more careful with social media posting and abide by the increasingly more stringent regulations of countries for organising, mobilising but also travel restrictions for international exchanges.

India, Philippines, and Indonesia are categorized as ‘flawed democracies’ with index score of 7,04 for India, 6,73 for the Philippines and 6,71 for Indonesia. Meanwhile Nepal, and Bangladesh have been categorized as a ‘hybrid regime’ with score 4.49 for Nepal and 5,99 for Bangladesh, and Cambodia tends to be more authoritarian with only 3,18, just above China with 1,94 (The Global Democracy Index). Many governments in the regions are displaying increasing authoritarianism traits but maintain procedural democracy like general elections. These governments seldom use physical harassment, killing, imprisoned, disappearance, etc. because it risks international scrutiny or sanctions. Instead, they will deliberately undermine or weaken the functioning of trade unions and CSOs through administrative/ financial/ procedural/ legal restrictions.

Strength in numbers: what have WSM's Asia partners achieved in 2023?

Labour rights: Over 900.000 people, of which 56% women and 28% under 35 years, were reached by the services of the Asian partners to improve their working conditions.

Health: Over 200.000 people (63% women and 67% under 35y) had better access to health, mostly in Bangladesh through GK and through AREDS in India.

Social protection: over 500.000 people (51% women and 43% under 35 years) were reached by services to ensure better social security coverage.

Vocational training: nearly 200 workers (82% women and 80% under 35 years) received skill training to find new jobs, such as in tailoring, driving or paramedics.

Social economy: 100 members (63% women) were assisted by the partner organisations to improve their income through social economy initiatives like cooperatives.

INSP!R Asia network:

Advocacy: almost 7.500 members (half women, 26% under 35 years) were involved in advocacy efforts at country level to promote social protection, and 250 members (one third women) at continental level.

Learning: Over 6.500 members (55% women) from the partners learned how to better advocate for social protection at national level and 1.263 (38% women, two thirds under 35 years) at the continental level.

Strength in numbers: some results by WSM partners in Cambodia 2023

Services related to Social security: 

1.100 union leaders and workers, of which 30% women and 35% younger than 35 years, were reached through actions focusing on better access to social security through awareness raising initiatives, basic and advanced training, legal assistance and support, research and advocacy to decision makers. 

As the CLC president sits on the Board of the NSSF, they raise workers’ problems regarding the quality of the NSSF services. Within CLC, a committee was established in 2022 to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Social Security schemes and their activities contributed to an additional 500 members from the agricultural sector to register in the NSSF, as well as a new pension scheme being implemented from October 2023.

NETWORK: CLC decided to join in 2023 SP4ALL (Social Protection for All), a platform to raise awareness on social protection and reduce citizen's concerns to the duty bearers. This platform was established by Oxfam and involves several members. They have the objective to ensure a more inclusive, rights-based and shock-responsive social protection system as part of an Oxfam project which runs to January 2024 by promoting the active participation and consultation of Cambodian civil society organisations (CSOs). SP4ALL will contribute to building trust and cooperation between rights holders and duty bearers, intending to reach approximately 1,7 million individuals, comprising of formal and informal economic workers (street vendors, market sellers, domestic workers, waste collectors, tuk-tuk driver, service workers, construction workers, farmers), people with disabilities, elderly people, women and children and ID poor households who are prone to risks and economic shocks.

Mainstreaming knowledge on social security - Cambodia context in 2023

The development of the social protection system in Cambodia has progressed rapidly in the last decade, especially since the Royal Government of Cambodia approved and implemented the "National Social Protection Policy Framework 2016-2025". This policy document is a long- term roadmap of the Government to lead the implementation of the social protection policy in Cambodia under the common vision of ensuring citizen's income security, reducing and preventing poverty, vulnerability and social inequality, as well as contributing to the wider development of human resources, including promoting sustainable national economic growth. To develop the social protection system and to ensure better harmonization of the different strategies, policies and other social protection activities, the Royal Government has established the “National Social Protection Council” (NSPC). The NSPC is the key actor responsible for the overall coordination and steering on the development of various social protection strategies and policies. 

The National Social Security Fund or NSSF consists of 3 schemes: Occupational Risks Scheme (2008), Health Care (2016), Pension (2022). The Law on Social Security Schemes, which dates from 2019, also foresees the development of an unemployment benefit scheme. Until 2021, 17.355 companies had registered in NSSF, with a total number of 4.335.501 members: 2.723.837 men and 1.633.583 women. 

Before 2017, WSM has also worked with the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC) and its main federation C.CAWDU, which is organizing the workers in the garment industries of Cambodia. While contacts with CLC have remained between 2017 and 2022, as they were also part of the continental network on the right to social protection in Asia, WSM has decided to return to Cambodia to put up a program with CLC to mainstream and increase the knowledge of union leaders and workers in factories on the national social security system. In the past actions were quite focused on further developing the NSSF, through advocacy by CLC to the Cambodian government. This time the goal is to ensure that within the organization of CLC knowledge and expertise on social security is more widely shared, also at the local levels of the organization, as well in the federations organizing the formal as the informal sectors. By the end of 2026, 1.725 union leaders, members and workers should have in-depth knowledge on the Cambodian social security system and have the ability to raise awareness and advocacy for better policies on social security. 

Aside from that, CLC keeps pushing to increase the coverage of the NSSF to an additional 300.000 workers (of which 60.000 in the informal sectors) and for improving the quality of the existing system, in particular the health care scheme and the occupational risks scheme. The union propagates that all Cambodian workers should be able to have health insurance and that it should similarly be available to their family members. At the same time the quality if the health facilities should improve and more diseases should be covered by the health insurance. CLC also advocates for the new pension scheme to apply to all Cambodian workers and for the creation of an unemployment benefits scheme.

Cambodian garment worker got it covered - Cambodia 2023

Gnil, 38 years old is a Cambodian garment worker, member of CLC. Before Mrs. Gnil was unaware regarding the social security system of Cambodia (National Social Security Fund or NSSF), which covers health insurance, work accidents and pension. So when Mrs. Gnil had a health problem, she would go to the hospital or to the doctor and spend a lot of money on medicines and health checks. But she attended a training from CLC where experts of the NSSF explained the social security law, the benefits workers can avail through the social security system. After the training she had a clear understanding of the NSSF and how to apply for its benefits. Mrs. Gnil got access to the NSSF and if she falls sick now, she can consult a doctor and obtain her medicines for free, so she can save money for her family. When she gave childbirth, she also received financial support from the NSSF for several months.

In the companies where there is a union, it is possible to get access to the NSSF and to save on health spending, because expenses due to sickness or a work accident are covered by the social security.

Strength in numbers: Some results by the WSM partners in Bangladesh in 2023

Labour rights: 102.878 people, of which 50% women and 9% younger than 35 years, were involved in the services by the partners to improve their working conditions. 

• 200.000 workers increased their awareness on labour standards and especially the minimum wages for the garment sector
• 3.864 workers per year were organised to increase membership
• 154 union members received basic training and 139 union leaders advanced training on labour rights and collective bargaining 
• 859 garment sector union members received legal assistance

Health

• Almost 149.119 members, of which 61% women increased their awareness about health and hygiene, family planning, health related messages, gender policy and rights.
• 32.245 garment workers and vulnerable people, of which over half were women, were organised to join the health insurance of GK.
• 41 women received basic training as a traditional birth attendee, and 127 members received training to work as a paramedic. 94 paramedics of which 73 are women, are trained to promote health insurance to the general public.
• Nearly 23.753 people received medical advice through specialised health camps, preventive care programs and were supplied with medicines, of which 15.937 are women. 7.286 garment workers, of which 4.772 women, received medical advice aid and support through health camps and health screenings.

Social security

• 271.614 workers, of which 140.858 are women and 131.295 under 35 years are informed about social security through media, poster and leaflets.
• 61 workers, of which 38 women and 60 under 35 years, were part of two basic trainings on social security.

Vocational training: 127 people, of which 97% women and  all under 35 years received vocational skill training through GK, on computer skills, women driving and to work as a paramedic.

Social economy: especially focusing on elderly, 100 seniors were supported through social economy initiative to ensure betterment of health, of which 63 were elderly women.

224 members of BSPAN were mobilised for advocacy actions during national days and 65 BSPAN members interacted with policy makers to promote access to social protection  and to ratify ILO Convention 102 on minimum standards for social security. 

Learning: 1.065 members increased their awareness on social security, shared lessons and experiences. 49 BSPAN members received  training on OSH as fundamental rights and how to use  communication and social dialogue for SP Campaign.

What happened in Bangladesh regarding social protection in 2023?

Bangladesh saw some measures taken related to social protection in 2023:

• Universal Pension Scheme (UPS)

In August 2023, the Bangladeshi government introduced the Universal Pension Scheme (UPS). Under this program, citizens aged under 50 can enroll by paying a fixed premium for at least 10 years. Upon reaching 60, beneficiaries receive pension payments. Notably, both the deposited premiums and pension disbursements enjoy tax exemptions. Additionally, beneficiaries have the option to withdraw up to 50% of their accumulated funds as a loan.

• Garment Workers’ Minimum Wage Increase

Effective December 1, 2023, the minimum wage for garment workers rose from 8,000 taka to 12,500 BDT (approximately 110€) per month. This was after many protests that met with violent repression and remains far below the trade unions unified demand of 24.000BDT/month.

• 
  Employment Injury Scheme for Garment Workers

Long awaited, this pilot scheme launched in 2023 is addressing occupational safety, the Employment Injury Scheme provides comprehensive support for garment workers. It includes data collection, rehabilitation services, and safety enhancements within factories. See ILO's June 2024 publication on its achievements here.

Climate Change Challenges

Also in 2023, Bangladesh faced climate-related health risks due to rising temperatures, floods, and cyclones. These challenges impact poverty reduction efforts and strain healthcare systems. However, addressing climate change can also yield health benefits, including improved air quality and disease prevention.

A health worker excels - GK paramedics digitally empowered

Hi, I’m Sharmin, a 19-year-old with a big dream: to become a nurse and help people in need. Recently, I got accepted into the GK training program, which has been an incredible experience.

In 2023, International Women’s Day focused on “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”, and inspired by this, GK encouraged paramedics like me to learn computer skills alongside our regular training. I had never used a computer before—my older brother was the only one in our family who had one. But I quickly realized that knowing how to use Word and Excel is essential for any job nowadays.

Excel fascinated me. It’s like magic—it can calculate percentages and analyze data. Now, armed with this knowledge, I feel more confident during our door-to-door visits in rural villages. As a paramedic, I can provide health information effectively and be a first responder when needed.

This training is just the beginning, but I’m hopeful. The blend of healthcare and technology empowers me to serve my community better. Together, we can make a difference—one step at a time.

When a gender reveal isn't a good thing - testimony from a GK traditional birth attendee in Bangladesh

Halima, 57 years: "I received Traditional Birth Attenders (TBA) training from Gonoshasthay Kendra (GK) and began working in my village. In Bangladesh, maternity care often occurs at home due to stigma around women going to hospitals. As a TBA, I provide health advice to pregnant women and support them during follow-up visits with GK paramedics and I also bring them to our sub-centers for ultrasound scans. Unfortunately, I sometimes encounter uncomfortable situations where families try to know the fetus’s gender. This can be dangerous: if it’s a boy, often the family is very happy and the mother praised and taken care of. However, if it’s turns out to be a girl, families can be unhappy and can blame the mother, neglect her or even lead to physical and mental abuse them.

To prevent this, in 2020, the Bangladesh High Court issued a rule to prevent gender-based discrimination against unborn children. GK not only abides this but to contribute addressing this serious issue, has incorporated gender awareness into our midwifery training. Through workshops, we educate elders and family members that woman are not responsible for a baby’s gender and that daughters are just as much of a blessing as sons. Within our role of traditional birth attendees, we can help eliminate discrimination and contribute to dismantling societal stigma.

Since my gender awareness training, I’ve actively promoted change within many  families and villages and have been proud to witness this."

From toiling the soil to leading the union - CFTUI, India

Marisa Naresh, 38 years, born in the village of RAJAM in Andhra Pradesh: "My family survived on a mere 3 acres of agricultural land, toiling under the sun. We were laborers, our livelihood tied to the earth.

As a young man, I looked up to Mr. N. Satyanarayana—the towering figure behind the District Agricultural Union. At 17, I stepped into the world of union activities. Our affiliation with CFTUI in 2007 opened doors. Thematic knowledge, organizing skills, and public speaking—these became my tools.

Through WSM-supported activities, I learned about labour standards, participated in sectoral conferences, several basic and advanced training which boosted my knowledge on labour rights.  I now lead struggles, especially concerning MGNREGA wages. The ageing leaders pass the torch to me, and I’ve become a role model for youth in the agricultural sector."