SEOUL -- A two-day high-level conference is underway in Seoul to discuss the important role played by economic and social councils (ESCs) and other similar institutions (SIs) in promoting the extension of social protection floors.

Addressing the opening of the ILO/AICESIS International Conference, Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Jung Hong-won said, “Given that the aftershock of the last financial crisis from Europe is still felt, sluggish economic development and expansion of employment instability around the world have led to another round of tension … social dialogue and communication will help resolve these problems facing us today”.

In line with the 2012 International Labour Conference discussion, the meeting focuses on Recommendation No. 202 on Social Protection Floors. Social dialogue instruments, namely the Governance Convention No. 144 and Recommendations No. 113 and No. 152 will also be discussed.

During the two-day event, more than 90 participants will discuss how social dialogue institutions such as ESCs can bolster social protection at the national level.

To foster discussion at the Conference, the International Labour Organization (ILO) released two reports; a background paper highlighting good practices of social dialogue in promoting social protection floors, and the global analysis of Social protection trends 2010-2015. From fiscal consolidation to expanding social protection. Key to crisis recovery, inclusive development and social justice.

By agreeing the coverage of social protection, negotiating the necessary fiscal space for adequate benefits, and monitoring implementation, some national social dialogue institutions have already made good progress in building social protection floors – or protecting people’s welfare in countries undergoing fiscal consolidation.

The Conference brings together representatives of ESC-SIs from more than 30 countries, along with experts from international and regional institutions, including the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the International Employers Organization (IOE), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank (WB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the United National Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the International Social Security Association (ISSA) and the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW).

The event was organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS), in partnership with the Economic and Social Development Commission of Korea (ESDC).