Result achieved

A social protection scheme to extend coverage, enhance comprehensiveness and/or increase adequacy of benefits has been adopted or reformed (Step 2)

Number of countries that have adopted or reformed social protection schemes to extend coverage, enhance comprehensiveness and/or increase adequacy of benefits (Step 2)

30.06.2021 LAO226 Public 2020-21 | 8.1.1

Linked projects

GLO/20/20/MUL - Protecting garment sector workers: occupational safety and health and income support in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
RAS/17/09/LUX - Supporting the extension of social health protection in South-East Asia
RAS/19/50/JPN - Development of a Social Protection Outlook for Asia and the Pacific

Outcome summary

A Mother and Early Childhood Grant programme was launched

Outcome achieved

The Mother and Early Childhood Grant (MECG) programme, was launched in June 2021, by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare in Attapeu province. It is being piloted under the UN Joint Programme. It has enrolled 982 pregnant women and infants in the programme and provided a monthly cash benefit of Lao Kip 150,000 (US$16) to 192 beneficiaries in Sanamxay district so far. The program aims to reach at least 2000 beneficiaries in 3 districts.

ILO's contribution to the outcome

The MECG program was introduced as part of the approval of the NSPS. ILO contributed to the design in partnership with UNICEF (UN Joint Programme). Additionally, the ILO provided financial and technical support for the purchase of IT equipment for the Ministry of Health and MOLSW. With the Resident Coordinator’s office, the ILO led the preparation of the UN Country team note “Developing a shock-responsive national social protection system to respond to the COVID-19 crisis in Lao PDR” presented to government.

Gender equality & non-discrimination

Women have been the priority in the cash transfer for mother and early childhood programme. Women constitutes more than 80% of garment workers who received the wage subsidies. ILO activities ensured that constituents nominated women representatives; constituents awareness raised on specific gender concerns that need to be taken into account while proposing recovery policies

Partnerships

Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare Lao Social Security Organization National Health Insurance Bureau Lao Federation of Trade Union Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Association of Lao Garment Industry

SDG

Goals

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Targets

1.3 Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable

Impacts

Number of persons effectively covered(related SDG indicator 1.3.1)
Total: 192

Family/ child/ parental