Brussels, 24/08/2012 (Agence Europe) - For billions of people in the world - and in particular in the poorest countries where the labour market is dominated by the informal sector - social protection does not exist, and it is that lack of protection that the European Commission hopes to help remedy with its development policy. The Commission communication on strengthening social protection in EU development cooperation, adopted on Friday 24 August, sets out the role of social protection for reducing the poverty and vulnerability of populations and for fostering inclusive growth. It underlines the need to find innovative solutions that are adapted to the specific characteristics of the different development countries (middle income and low income countries) and sets out a series of actions that could be conducted under development policy.
Such action includes support for national social protection policies, the introduction of measures to support the creation of jobs in developing countries, the fight against the root causes of people's vulnerability - and in particular that of women -, and the sharing of experience between the EU and its development partners.
Based on the results of public consultation in 2011, which confirmed the relevance of tackling this problem, the Commission communication meets a request put forward by the Council in 2007 and by the European Parliament in 2011. (AN/transl.jl)