2016年-世界发展银行全球_Bangladesh_Social_Protection_and_Labor_Review___Towards_Smart_Social_Protection_and_Jobs_for_the_Poor_117页_4mb

Summary of Bangladesh Social Protection and Labor Review: Towards Smart Social Protection and Jobs for the Poor

Core Content

This report, part of the World Bank's Bangladesh Development Series, evaluates the current landscape of social protection and labor (SPL) policy and programs in Bangladesh and provides policy recommendations for the Government of Bangladesh (GoB). It highlights the need for a more integrated, comprehensive, and effective SPL system that can address the country's challenges in poverty reduction, job creation, and labor market inclusion.

Main Objectives of SPL Systems

Social Protection and Labor systems aim to achieve three key objectives:

• Resilience: Help people recover from shocks.
• Equity: Reduce poverty and promote equality of opportunity.
• Opportunity: Build human capital and access to jobs, which reduces vulnerability to shocks.

These systems are increasingly recognized globally as essential components of national strategies to combat poverty and promote inclusive growth.

Key Challenges

The report identifies four major challenges:

1. High Poverty and Vulnerability: Despite economic growth, many Bangladeshis remain vulnerable due to income shocks and limited access to risk management tools.
2. Youth Employment Challenges: With youth making up 30% of the working age population, there is significant pressure to create jobs. Educational gaps and lack of relevant skills exacerbate this issue.
3. Gender Inequality in the Labor Market: Female labor force participation is lower than average in developing countries, and many women are engaged in unpaid family work.
4. Labor Migration: Both internal and international migration provide employment opportunities but also pose risks due to information asymmetry, financial costs, and lack of support systems.

Current SPL Programming in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a large number of social safety net programs, but they are fragmented, inefficient, and poorly targeted. The SPL budget in FY 2014-15 was about 2% of GDP, with a significant portion allocated to food-based programs. Social insurance and labor market programs are underdeveloped, with only limited coverage for pensions and health insurance.

Policy Recommendations

The report suggests two-fold policy approaches:

• Improving Existing Programs: This includes consolidating overlapping programs, establishing a unified targeting mechanism, improving monitoring and evaluation, and leveraging technology to increase administrative efficiency.
• Utilizing a Wider Set of Policy Instruments: To promote resilience and opportunities, the report emphasizes the need to expand social insurance, introduce active labor market policies (ALMPs), and enhance financial inclusion through microfinance.

Strategic Direction

The strategic direction for SPL policy is to develop an integrated and comprehensive system that supports the operationalization of the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS). This involves:

• Harmonizing fragmented programs.
• Improving implementation efficiency through common administrative systems.
• Balancing the use of diverse policy instruments to achieve the three objectives of resilience, equity, and opportunity.

Immediate Priorities

Immediate priorities for improving social safety nets include:

• Consolidating programs with overlapping objectives.
• Establishing a unified targeting system using the Proxy Means Test (PMT) methodology.
• Enhancing monitoring and evaluation practices.
• Phasing out food-based programs in favor of more efficient cash-based systems.
• Utilizing technology, such as a dynamic Management Information System (MIS), to improve data collection and program management.

Opportunities and Potential

• Microfinance: While it has contributed to poverty reduction, it needs to be more effectively linked to business development.
• Active Labor Market Programs (ALMPs): These programs can help address employment challenges, especially for vulnerable groups.
• Savings Schemes: Promoting voluntary savings and insurance mechanisms can improve resilience and reduce vulnerability.
• Education and Skills Training: Comprehensive programs that include on-the-job training and life skills can enhance employability, particularly for youth.

Conclusion

Bangladesh needs a stronger, more integrated SPL system to effectively manage risks, promote inclusive growth, and create more, better, and sustainable jobs. The report underscores the importance of shifting from fragmented programs to a cohesive strategy that supports both resilience and opportunity for the poor and vulnerable.

Key Information

• National Social Security Strategy (NSSS): Aims to address lifecycle risks through a comprehensive approach.
• Proxy Means Test (PMT): A method used to determine poverty status for targeting.
• Microfinance Institutions (MFIs): Play a significant role in financial inclusion but need better integration with job creation.
• Active Labor Market Programs (ALMPs): Should be expanded to support job creation and skills development.
• Demographic Dividend: Bangladesh has a window of opportunity due to its young population, but it needs to harness this effectively through SPL policies.

Summary of Priority Areas