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2.
Introductory remarks on social security
(working paper prepared by Tonio Higuchi)
a
The paper was submitted to the seminar with a view to providing it with Common basis for discussions on the recent trends and problems of social security both in developing and developed countries of the world, as well as at international level.
the
The seminar first discussed the problems relating to the concept of industrial accidents and occupational diseases (hereinafter referred to as employment injury) as contingencies normally dealt with by social security. While noting that doubt had been expressed about the validity of making a distinction between accidents of an occupational origin and other accidents not So caused, some participants expressed concern about the conceptual basis for the coverage of traffic accidents by an employment injury benefit scheme set up on the principles of individual employer's liability for the Compensation payment. It
was indicated that the concept and principle of occupational risk, which provided the legal basis for the individual liability of employers for the payment of workmen's compensation, was the subject of serious examination in some countries of the world where the distribution of the responsibility became more and more difficult in the process of industrialisation, and created anomalies in the adjudication of origin of the contingency. The seminar, however, noted that in many developing countries of Asia the existing employment injury benefit schemes could hardly cover accidents on the way to and from the place of work, and a realistic solution to this might be to establish a disability and survivors' benefits scheme to take care of the victims of such accidents.
the
Whether or not an employment injury benefit scheme could be an effective instrument for the prevention of industrial accidents and occupational diseases was another problem which attracted the attention of the seminar. Some participants considered that such a scheme could contribute towards this social objective, particularly if contributions were wholly paid by employers and were fixed on basis of accident experience within the enterprise. Apart from the administrative and technical difficulties involved in the application of this experience-rating system, it vas pointed out to the seminar that a number of past studies including those made by the ILO did not provide convincing evidence to support the effectiveness of such a system in accident prevention. It was indicated, however, that an employment injury benefit scheme could effectively contribute towards implementation of other labour protective measures designed specifically industrial safety and occupational hygiene. The possibilities might include provision of information regarding claims for employment injury benefits, and even financial support by the social security institution in the implementation
of such protective measures.
the
for
the
As regards the problem of contingencies to be covered by social security, it was important to identify the priority order in the country. This view which was put forward
by
one of the participants was endorsed by the seminar. For example, some countries might have a particular and urgent need to deal with health problems among their people and therefore the social security system should give the highest priority to the provision of medical care. A system of social security might also be required to play a part in the government's efforts to control the population growth, when the country was suffering from incessant population increase. effects of family allowances and maternity benefits, under social security, on the population growth would, however, have to be examined carefully.
The
As regards the social security protection of the rural population, the seminar noted that the essential prerequisite was the development of the rural infrastructure, including communication and transportation; landownership and types of employment were also important factors. There was a general consensus that it was highly necessary for the rural social security development to stimulate local interest and initiative among the people concerned, and such existing institutions as co-operative societies, associations of youth and/or housewives should be fully mobilised for this purpose. The seminar observed that, in some countries of the world, the extension of social security through co-operative societies had proved to
be effective.
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