Suriname officials validate National Social Protection Strategy

Ongoing efforts by the Government of the Republic of Suriname to extend social protection for all with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) have culminated in a consensus to proceed with the development of a National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) that will help to enforce greater social security coverage.

This endeavour that started back in July 2022 with the preparatory work to conduct a Comprehensive Review of the Social Protection System of Suriname, has already reached more than 25 different State institutions, including front line Ministries (Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Interior, Finance), as well as Fund's, Commissions and Committees, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and international development partners, such as UNICEF, IDB and IMF. The Comprehensive review and its consensual recommendations have led to the development of the NSPS which will include an Action Plan. It intends to provide a framework that links the legislative reform to tangible social security outcomes for the reduction of inequalities and poverty to achieve decent work and social justice.

During the most recent mission from 11th to 15th March 2024 led by ILO Caribbean Specialist for Social Protection and Occupational Safety and Health, Joana Borges, policymakers and development partners including officials from the different Ministries and State institutions and bodies, gathered to discuss and validate the Strategy and discuss next steps to finalize the document.

During the sessions, participants agreed to the recommended principles of the Strategy and main Outcomes and Outputs that will be further developed.

“The comprehensive review of the social protection system has put many things into perspective. Hopefully, our fragmented social protection policies can adopt the proposed measures, allowing for more efficient functioning of social protection schemes,” said Jason Menso, Acting Head of International Affairs for the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Youth Affairs.

“Institutional changes are results that can lead to an impact on people. Through the adoption and operationalization of this Strategy, policymakers will be equipped to achieve an increase in effective and adequate social protection coverage that will improve the quality of life for the people of Suriname,” explained Joana Borges.

The reform of Suriname’s social protection system also contributes to successful implementation of its current Decent Work Country Programme of Suriname (DWCP) 2023-26, and the ILO Flagship Programme on Social Protection, which supports 50 countries worldwide.

Next steps following this mission, will be the preparation of a more updated version of the document that takes into consideration the different feedback and information received from the different participants, including guidance from the Government. This will be then, once again, shared with all stakeholders for a final review and feedback, leading to the final draft of the Strategy that will be presented, validated and submitted to Government in quarter 2 of 2024.

The official launching of the Comprehensive Review is also planned to happen at the same time.