11. An important step in the field of social security statistics has been made by the preparation of a minimum programme of social security statistics which, on the one hand, establishes ba sic statistical concepts, definitions and classifications to meet minimum requirements for social security statistics and to promote co-ordination of social security statistics at the national level,
and, on the other hand, to establish a minimum basis for international comparisons of social security statistics.
new
12.
The information and research activities are related to nearly all aspects of the ILO work in the field of social security. For example, the preparation of an international instrument is based on a detailed analysis of law and practice in the field to be covered by the future instrument. Therefore the reports submitted to the International Labour Conference as the basis for а instrument constitute important sources of information. Similarly the reports which a re submitted periodically by ratifying countries on application of the provisions of the Conventions, and which are summarised in special reports to the International Labour Conference, contain often useful information which is not readily available elsewhere. It is also worth mentioning that social security problems for special regions and particular industries and occupations are dealt with by the various bodies of the office like the regional conferences and the Industrial Committees. The reports prepared for these bodies contain comprehensive documentation on the special social security problems peculiar to the various regions, industries and occupations.
Technical co-operation
13. From its earliest days the ILO has carried out technical co-operation activities in the field of social security. It is true that in the period preceding the Second World War such activities were rather modest but they were nevertheless significant, permitting the ILO to face the practical problems posed by the introduction and modifications of social security schemes in various parts of the world. Since the last war and in particular since the launching of the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance, technical co-operation activities by the ILO in the field of social security have been greatly intensified. With all the new nations acceding to political and national independence, the need for technical co-operation has enormously increased and the ILO has been called upon by practically all these nations to co-operate in the solution of their social security problems.
14. The technical services provided by the ILO in the field of social security can be divided in the following types:
(1) co-operation in a general investigation
(2)
(3)
(n)
into the economic, social and administrative situation of the country and in the establishment of an outline of a social security scheme consistent with present needs and future requirements;
preparation of specific social security legislation. This phase includes the drafting of legislation and, where necessary, of detailed regulations for the application of the scheme. This form of assistance is provided both for establishing new legislation and for revising OF amending existing
legislation;
study of the problems of organisation and administration of a social security scheme with a view to improving the operational techniques and procedures of the scheme. This form of assistance covers three specialised fields, namely:
(a) accounting organisation; (b) organisation of departments responsible for collecting, compiling and presenting statistics; and (c) organisation ΟΙ mechanisation of data processing departments. The training of officials at various levels also forms part of ILO assistance in the administrative field;
study of the problems involved in providing medical ca re under a social security scheme; that is, to assist administrative agencies to improve the efficiency of the medical services, whether or not under their direct management, working out the most suitable method of providing care and, where necessary, drafting the necessary regulations, etc.;
(5) study of the financial aspects of a social security scheme; that is, establishing actuarial estimates before implementing legislation or estimating consequences of proposed changes in an existing scheme or preparing actuarial
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