TRAINING FOR LIVELIHOOD RESILIENCE AND SOCIAL PROTECTION IN THE INFORMAL ECONOMY The Community-Based Tool on Livelihood Resilience and Social Protection in the Informal Economy has been developed under collaboration between the ILO and the Japanese International Labour Foundation (JILAF).

Community-Based Enterprise Development (C-BED) for Livelihood Resilience and Social Protection in the Informal Economy (SP)

ILO Enterprise Department Decent Work Team - Bangkok

Community-Based Enterprise Development (C-BED) for Livelihood Resilience and Social Protection in the Informal Economy (SP) by International Labour Organization (ILO)/C-BED is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMME

About C-BED

Community-Based Enterprise Development (C-BED) is a low cost, innovative training programme designed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to support skills development and empowerment in local communities for improvements in livelihoods, productivity and working conditions. As an approach to training, C-BED is unique in that the programme is built around peer-to peer, activity based learning methods with no role for teachers, experts, or external consultants specialised in the skill area. Instead, C-BED participants work together through a series of activities and discussions guided only by simple step-by-step instructions in the training manual. New knowledge, skills and competencies are developed through the interactions between participants and sharing of existing local knowledge and experience. In this way the programme is a low cost, sustainable option for any organization or community. The C-BED programme is structured around two core training packages designed to develop competencies for business start-up and operation through a focus on marketing, financial management, and action planning. These are the C-BED for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and CBED for Small Business Operators. Additionally, a growing suite of tools to strengthen business competencies and enhance skills for specific sectors is in continual development. These packages can be implemented as either stand-alone trainings or integrated in modular format into existing programs.

About the SP training The C-BED training on Livelihood Resilience and Social Protection in the Informal Economy (SP) is designed to improve individual’s access to information, services, and support when managing issues that inhibit or prevent them from realizing their full potential and pursuit of decent work. During the training, participants work together to discuss and share experiences with the different livelihoods challenges faced in their community, to review and asses the availability of or gaps in social welfare and support services, and to develop strategies for mutual aid and personal action plans so that opportunities and aspirations can be pursued.

Message to the Group

At the end of this C-BED training you will have a clear plan for the practical steps you can take to start or improve your livelihood. Your understanding of the basic principles of social protection will be much stronger and you will have begun relationships with others in your community that can potentially support or cooperate with you to achieve mutual support in the future. The style of this training is different to traditional education approaches. There will be no teacher, trainer or expert to assist you. Instead, you will work together as a team to follow the simple step-by-step instructions for discussions and activities in your training guide. Because there is no group leader, all group members should take a turn reading the information and

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instructions out loud to the group, and all group members share responsibility for monitoring time. In this new style of training, we will learn from each other by sharing ideas and opinions, skills, knowledge and experience. For this to work, all group members must participate in discussions. Before and after the training you will be asked to complete a survey to understand the impact of the training. This information will be kept confidential and is used to improve the training materials and organization of future programs. It will also be helpful for identifying other C-BED training tools that can be subsequently introduced to participants. Some trainees may also be contacted in the future after 3, 6 or 12 months for another survey to learn about your action plans. The instructions in the training guide are easy to follow and suggested timing for each step is provided. Look out for these signs:

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Follow the signs

This sign indicates that there is a time to finalize the activity

This sign indicates background information to be read to the group

This sign indicates group discussion

This sign indicates that the activity is beginning and that step-by-step instructions need to be read out loud to the group and followed sequentially

Getting Started Before you begin the training, follow the simple steps below to get organized. • Fill out the pre-training survey. Ask the organizers if you don’t have a copy or have not

already filled it in. • Organize into small groups of 5-7. The organizers will guide you in how best to do this. • Identify one group member to volunteer to start the training as ‘Group Reader’. The

‘Group Reader’s’ role is to read the information and activity instructions out loud to the group. Any group member with basic literacy can be the ‘Group Reader’ and you should aim to share this role among group members throughout the training.

All group members are responsible for monitoring time but one group member should be nominated for each session to remind the group when the suggested time for a step has been reached. You do not strictly need to follow the suggested timing but you will need to manage your time for the total training. If one activity lasts longer than the suggested timing, try to save time in other activities to keep the balance. All group members will receive the same training guide. Individual work can be completed in these guides as well as group work. Groups may also like to complete activities together on flipchart paper if available.

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Table of contents

Overview of the programme ........................................................................................ 4

About C-BED ........................................................................................................... 4

About the SP training .............................................................................................. 4

Message to the Group ............................................................................................. 5

Follow the signs ...................................................................................................... 6

Getting Started ....................................................................................................... 6

Table of contents .................................................................................................... 7

Module 1: Introductions, Social Protection and the Informal Economy

Session 1: Introductions and Aspirations ...................................................................... 9

Getting to know other participants ........................................................................... 9

Case Studies ......................................................................................................... 10

Session 2: Social Protection and the Informal Economy .............................................. 12

Who is the Infomral Economy ................................................................................ 12

Risks and the Informal Economy ............................................................................ 14

Module 2: Social Protection Services

Session 3: Essential Social Protection Services ............................................................ 17

Government Services and Support .......................................................................... 17

Essential Health Care Services…………………………………………………………………………….18

Essential Chilrdren’s Services ................................................................................. 21

Working Age Services – Social Security Schemes ........ Error! Bookmark not defined.

Working Age Services – Education and Training ......... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Working Age Services – Safety and Health .............................................................. 24

Working Age Services – Access to Capital and Transfers .......................................... 25

Essential Older Persons’ Services ............................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Module 3: Support Networks, Mutual Aid and Action Planning

Session 4: Strengthening Support Networks and Mutual Aid .......... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Avilable support netwroks ......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Building Networks for Social Protection ...................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

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Session 5: Action Planning ........................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Learning process

Introductions and Aspirations

Social Protection and the Informal Economy

Essential Social Protection Services and Transfers

Strengthening Support Networks and Mutual Aid

Action Planning

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45 min

45 min

1 hour and 30 min

60 min

3 hours

Module 1 INTRODUCTIONS, SOCIAL PROTECTION AND THE INFORMAL ECONOMY

To help you prepare for the type of discussions and interactions you will have with other group members throughout the training and appreciate the benefits of being exposed to different perspectives.

Gain an understanding of the informal economy and the key concepts of Social Protection.

Total Time: 90 Minutes

GOALS

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SESSION 1: INTRODUCTIONS AND ASPIRATIONS

(Total time: 45 minutes)

In this session we will complete two activities to get to know one another and become familiar with the style of training. The goal of the training is to learn from each other as we complete the activities in each of the five sessions. There will be no teacher so we should help each other by sharing our difference ideas and experiences, and ask questions to the group if we do not understand a concept or activity.

Activity 1A: Getting to know other participants

(10 min)

Facilitator: Start by introducing yourself, explain that this is a program designed to ‘teach without teachers’ and allow people to learn through their own experience and each other. Upon completion of this program, they will have developed skills to achieve a better quality of life for themselves and their families through job satisfaction and greater employment opportunities. We will need pens and loose paper for this activity.

• Draw a picture that shows what you do to support your household. Individuals may choose to focus on employment or on other activities they undertake? (5 min)

• One by one each group member is to introduce themselves to the group. State your name, explain your job, and share your picture (5 min)

In this first activity we got to know more about one another; we shared our drawings and talked about our jobs.

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Activity 1B Case Studies – Social Protection and Vulnerability

(15 min) In Activity 1B you will hear the stories of three different people – one of a child, one of a working age person and one of an elderly person. You should listen carefully to their experience to help you complete the next activities. The story of a child (5 min) Suradee is a 6 year old girl and although her parents do not have the money to pay for her schooling, she is able to attend the local primary school for free as a citizen of the country.

Unfortunately Suradee’s family do not receive any government support or allowance to pay for her school books or uniforms so have to work and save very hard to cover these costs. Even with all their effort they rely on the charity of neighbours to meet these additional costs.

The story of a working age person (5 min)

Mrs Vilay was unable to complete secondary schooling, however she was fortunate enough to access the government technical college which provided her a bridging program so that she could obtain a certificate in sewing.

After graduating Mrs Vilay secured a job in a large factory, but recently lost her job. With only a little savings left and no government support available, Mrs Vilay is not sure what options she has or how she will survive.

The story of an elderly person (5 min)

Mr Daeng retired several years ago from his job as a government school teacher. After working for more than 40 years he now receives a small pension from the government that covers his rent and living costs.

Mr Daeng also just needs to show his citizenship card when taking public transportation to travel for free.

While Mr Daeng is more fortunate than many, he has no family or relatives and is concerned about who will care for him when he becomes too old to care for himself.

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In this activity you have heard about the three, very different experiences. These stories will help you to understand more about challenges and social protection options.

(15 min) 1. As a group, reflect on how realistic these examples are and share any personal

experiences that are similar (5 min) 2. Next for each case study try to identify the assistance / support that has been provided to

the people by the government, and the gaps in assistance (5 min) 3. As individuals reflect on your own experiences and identify one example of support that

you received, and one example of support you wish you could have received (5 min)

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SESSION 2: SOCIAL PROTECTION AND THE INFORMAL ECONOMY

(Total time: 45 minutes) In Session 2 we will explore what the informal economy is and how it may relate to the specific challenges people face in their livelihoods, we will also begin to introduce the concepts of Social Protection.

Example of people working in the informal economy:

• Include women, migrants and other vulnerable groups of workers who are excluded from other opportunities and have little choice but to take informal low-quality jobs.

• Live in poor communities and cannot usually afford to purchase insurance. Lack protection in the event of non-payment of wages, unsafe working conditions and the absence of social benefits such as pensions, sick pay and health insurance. Social protection contributes to people being able to escape poverty and is considered a right for all workers. Informal workers have the same right as formal workers to healthy and safe working conditions and to have access to social protection schemes. Social protection may include government services and support that give you access to essential services such as health care, education and nutrition; or that protect you in situations that negatively impact your livelihood

Activity 2A: Who is the Informal Economy?

(15 min)

1. Listen to the different types of workers in the word cloud being read out loud. Stop the group reader if there is a type of worker that you do not understand or that could be confusing. In these cases the group should try to clarify and explain what is meant (5 min)

2. Individually using the ‘Categorization of Workers’ table, list the workers into three categories: (1) only informal economy; (2) both formal and informal economy; and (3) formal economy (5 min)

3. We will need a coloured pen for this activity. Following on from Step 2, using a coloured pen circle the types of jobs that are mainly done by women. Reflect on the distribution of the roles women occupy between the different categories, ask yourself are there more women in informal worker type roles than formal worker roles (5 min)

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WORD CLOUD

Domestic Workers Handicraft Vendor Waste Picker Construction Worker Restaurant Worker Garment Workers Shoe Maker Mechanic Farmer Government Minister Nurse

Tuk Tuk Driver Cook Finance Manager Street Vendor Tailor Teacher Hospitality Gardener Sewer

Security Guard Police Force

Driver Food Vendor Weaver Child Minder Electrician Vegetable Vendor Truck Driver Other (list any other types):

CATEGORIZATION OF WORKERS

Informal Economy Both Formal and Informal Economy

Formal Economy

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Activity 2B: Risk and the Informal Economy There are different kinds of risk (or insecurity) at various stages of our life. These risks are usually situations that can impact your livelihood or cause you to be unable to earn sufficient income.

(30 min) 1. As a group review the risk categories and examples of risks in the table below and discuss any

words that you do not understand (5 min) 2. Individually consider what risks have already or have the potential to impact your livelihoods and

write them down in the circles as they relate to the economy: 1) informal only; 2) informal and formal; or 3) formal only (10 min)

3. The next step is to consider which risks from the previous step apply to women more than men. Using a pen highlight the risks that are more likely to impact women and share the results with your group (5 min)

4. Discuss in a group what actions you can take to minimise the impact of these risks to your livelihoods (10 min)

Categories of risks Examples of risks

Natural Risks Heavy rainfall, landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, droughts, strong winds, etc…

Health Risks Illness, injury, accidents, disability, epidemics (e.g. malaria), famines, etc…

Life-cycle Risks Birth, maternity, old age, family break-up, death, etc…

Social Risks Crime, domestic violence, terrorism, gangs, war, social upheaval, etc…

Economic Risks Unemployment, harvest failure, business failure, resettlement, output collapse, balance of payments, shock, financial crisis, currency crisis, technological or trade induced, etc…

Political Risks Discrimination, riots, political unrest, etc…

Environment Risks Pollution, deforestation, land degradation, nuclear disaster, etc…

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RISK AND THE INFORMAL ECONOMY

Informal

Formal

Both

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Module 2 SOCIAL PROTECTION SERVICES AND TRANSFERS

Introduce the available Social Protection Services and Support and gain an understanding of what services and support are available to you as an individual and as a community.

To share experiences and challenges with gaining access to Social Protection Services and Support

Total Time: 180 Minutes

GOALS

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SESSION 3: ESSENTIAL SOCIAL PROTECTION SERVICES

(Total time: 180 minutes) In the following session the groups will go through some of the key areas of social protection and reflect on the services and supports available, gaps, and assistance needed. Essential services and transfer should be available as a minimum standard for all people. Proceed through session with that in mind, it is not just for you and your family, but for the community.

The risks we discussed in the previous session tend to affect people differently throughout their lives. In the following session, we will consider the different social protection needs of children, people in working age and the elderly and the risks they face. For example, children may have special needs in education and nutrition, while people in working age need protection from the risk of loss of income due to disability or unemployment. Additionally, health care as an essential need throughout the lifecycle is considered separately.

Activity 3A: Government Services and Support

(20 min)

1. Listen to the different types of services and support in the word cloud being read out loud. Stop the group reader if there is a type of service or support that you do not understand or that could be confusing. In these cases the group should try to clarify and explain what is meant (5 min)

2. You will need a ‘blue’ and a ‘red’ pen for this activity. Individually using a ‘blue’ pen circle the services and support in the word cloud that are available to you and your community. (5 min)

3. Using your ‘blue’ pen underline the services and support that are available and you cannot access (5 min)

4. Using a ‘red’ pen circle the services and support that are not available in your community (5 min)

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WORD CLOUD

Universal Health Coverage/ Free Health Care Workplace Safety Access to Shelter Access to Food

Access to Capital Education Scholarships for Education Training Pension

Civil Registration Business Registration Legal Recognition / Protection Compensation Social security benefits

Activity 3B: Essential Health Care Services

(10 min)

In Activity 3B we will look at the essential health care services, your rights and schemes available and how accessible they are to you. From the perspective of informal workers, a system of universal health coverage should include:

• free primary health care • free essential medicines • subsidized hospital care & surgical procedures for poorer workers

Your rights and relevant schemes for available services and support in [Lao PDR] The following schemes are currently only available in some provinces and districts, while they are gradually being expanded to the entire country.

Free health care for poor households, provided by the “Health Equity Funds” (HEF). Poor households are registered and receive free treatment and medication at health centers, district hospitals and provincial hospitals. HEF is currently available in 106 districts.

Voluntary health insurance for self-employed and informal sector, under the “Community-Based Health Insurance” (CBHI). Households which register for voluntary health insurance are required to pay a monthly contribution, depending on the size of the family (usually between 12,000-33,000 kip per month). In exchange, all family members are eligible to receive free treatment and medication at health centers, district hospitals and provincial hospitals. CBHI is currently available in 45 districts.

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Free health care in maternity and for children under 5 years

Free medical treatment and medications are available to women who are pregnant or have recently given birth as well as to children under 5 years of age, provided by the “Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health” programme. Under this programme, mothers are invited to visit health centres regularly to check their own and their child’s health and receive vaccinations to ensure the healthy development of the child.

(25 min) 1. As a group, read the questions in the table below and discuss, write down the key

points from the discussions relating to the question (10 min) 2. Nominate a representative from your group to share the results from the discussion

with the wider group and discuss potential actions that came out of the discussion (15 min)

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ALL RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO A NATIONALLY DEFINED SET OF ESSENTIAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES INCLUDING MATERNITY CARE THAT MEETS THE CRITERIA OF AVAILABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY, ACCEPTABILITY, AND QUALITY.

What are your Social Protection needs?

What health services and support are currently in place?

Are you aware of any health services and support available to others but not you?

List specific challenges you face in accessing services and support due to gender, equality & discrimination?

What health services and support needs do you have that are not being met?

List potential actions that you can take to improve access for your family and / or community to essential health care services and support:

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Activity 3C: Essential Children’s Services

(10 min)

Children have a right to be brought up in a safe environment, and to fulfil their potential. They need access to adequate nutrition, child care and basic education, especially in their earliest years.

In Activity 3C we will explore your rights and schemes available in your community and assess how accessible these are to your family.

Your rights and relevant schemes for available services and support in [Lao PDR]:

School Meals are provided to children in primary school to ensure better nutrition and help families who cannot afford. Children either receive a fortified snack in the morning, or the school cooks free lunch using food from school gardens and provided by the community.

The National School Meals Programme is currently only available in some provinces and districts, while it is gradually being expanded to the entire country.

(25 min) 1. As a group, read the questions in the table below and discuss, write down the key

points from the discussions relating to the question (10 min) 2. Nominate a representative from your group to share the results from the discussion

with the wider group and discuss potential actions that came out of the discussion (15 min)

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ALL CHILDREN ENJOY BASIC INCOME SECURITY AT LEAST AT THE LEVEL OF THE NATIONALLY DEFINED POVERTY LINE, ENSURING ACCESS TO NUTRITION, EDUCATION, CARE, AND ANY OTHER NECESSARY GOODS AND SERVICES.

What are the Social Protection needs for your family?

What children’s services and support/social protection is currently in place?

Are you aware of any Services and support available to others but not to you?

List specific challenges you face in accessing services and support due to gender, equality & discrimination?

What children’s services and support do you have that are not being met?

List potential actions that you can take to improve access for your family and / or community to essential children’s services and support:

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Activity 3D: Working Age Services

(20 min) More than half the workers have no basic social protection, many of these workers are in the informal sector. For workers in the informal economy, the lack of essential social protection coverages can make them extremely exposed to different types of risk. Therefore it is important to be aware of certain schemes that are accessible and what actions one can take to ensure that basic goods and services are made available, including in the case of emergency. These can include sickness, accident, disability, maternity, unemployment, natural disasters, flooding or drought. Take a look at the following schemes and circumstances and see how you can engage with them: 1. Social Security Schemes

Social security refers to a system providing cash benefits to workers in situation negatively impacting their ability to earn income, in exchange for regular contributions. Social security protects workers by replacing part of their income in case they become unable to work due to sickness, injury and disability. Furthermore, benefits usually include free health care, a maternity or child benefit as well as an old age pension. (5 min) Your rights and relevant schemes for available services and support in [Lao PDR]:

Starting in 2015, self-employed and informal workers are able to become a member of the National Social Security Fund. The required contribution is currently 9% of monthly earnings, up to a maximum of 180,000 kip per month. Members will be entitled to a range of benefits; for example, heath benefit, sickness, benefit, maternity benefit, disability and funeral grant, etc. (More in attachment).

2. Education and Training

Education and training are important social benefits that determine individuals’ level of livelihood resilience. Workers in informal economy are often deprived of access to these services – whether because where they live or level of confidence they have. Access to education (e.g. level of literacy) empowers children to be more productive and will help them secure a job in the future. Similarly skills development for workers in the working-aged group, whether through local employment training or others, can enable them to increase the level of productivity and employability given skills and knowledge required in domestic market. Attaining these social benefits is also vital in the context of financial crisis or natural disaster.

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Enhanced knowledge financial management or business skills will enable workers in informal economy to regain economic capacity and reduce income insecurity in the long run. (5 min) Your rights and relevant schemes for available services and support in [Lao PDR]:

Scholarships for technical and vocational education are available to students who are in poverty and unable to afford education. The scholarship is provided by the Ministry of Education and Sport and consists of a monthly benefit of 250,000 kip to cover living costs during the time of study. Social security. Self-employed and informal workers are able to become members of the National Social Security Fund. They receive financial benefits in case of many common risks. Benefits include free health care for members and their family, and cash benefits in case of sickness, in maternity, in disability, on the birth of a child, an old age pension, as well as benefits for the family in case of death of the social security member. 3. Safety and Health

Regulation of safe and healthy conditions of work is limited to formal workplaces such as shops, offices and factories. However, the majority of workers work informally – in streets and informal markets (street and market vendors), on waste dumps (waste pickers), in their own homes (home-based workers), or in the private homes of others (domestic workers). These populations are characterized by their interconnectivity, entrepreneurship, and resilience – assets that could be leveraged to address their health and safety vulnerabilities. (5 min)

Your rights and relevant schemes for available services and support in [Lao PDR]

4. Access to Capital and Transfers

Access to capital can come in a form of loans and savings (such as group saving). Access to capital is typically an instrument to promote livelihood and income generating activities for the working population. They can contribute to increasing households’ consumption, and therefore their demand for goods and services.

Cash transfers (and other social transfers) are instruments typically targeted towards workers in case of risks which may lead to an inability to work, such as the elderly, disabled or in

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childhood. Experiences from many countries show that minimum cash transfers can be an affordable, effective and efficient means to reduce poverty. In some cases cash transfers are made available to poor/vulnerable working households, including in some countries in the East Asia and Pacific region. Access to capital can lead to access to other social services such as health, education, skills, and nutrition contributes to an increase in individuals’ employability and productivity. (5 min)

Your rights and relevant schemes for available services and support in [Lao PDR]

(35 min) You will need pens and loose paper for this activity.

1. As a group, read the questions in the table below and discuss, write down the key points from the discussions relating to the question (20 min)

2. Nominate a representative from your group to share the results from the discussion with the wider group and discuss potential actions that came out of the discussion (15 min)

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Relevant Schemes Do you have access to these services and support? (yes or no)

What can you do to improve access to these services and support?

Where can you go to get more information or assistance?

What assistance is required?

Social Security Schemes

Education and Training

Safety and Health

Access to Capital & Transfers

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List potential actions that you can take to improve access for your family and / or community:

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Activity 3E: Essential Older Person’s Services

(10 min)

For most informal workers, the idea of ‘retirement’ is unrealistic as Informal workers have no guarantee of income at the time of retirement, which means they have to work until they are physically no longer able to continue. Fortunately most countries have prepared for people entering this age group by providing social service and welfare to older persons.

In this activity we will explore what services are available to older persons and how accessible they are in your community.

Your rights and relevant schemes for available services and support in [Lao PDR] Social security pension. Self-employed and informal workers are able to become members of the National Social Security Fund. In exchange for a monthly contribution of 9% of their earnings, they receive financial benefits in case of many common risks along with an old age pension once they reach age 60 (men) or 55 (women).

(25 min) 1. As a group, read the questions in the table below and discuss, write down the key

points from the discussions relating to the question (10 min) 2. Nominate a representative from your group to share the results from the discussion

with the wider group and discuss potential actions that came out of the discussion (15 min)

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ALL RESIDENTS IN OLD AGE ENJOY BASIC INCOME SECURITY AT LEAST AT THE LEVEL OF THE NATIONALLY DEFINED POVERTY LINE.

What are the Social Protection needs for your family?

What older person’s services and support/social protection is currently in place?

Are you aware of any Services and support available to others but not to you?

List specific challenges you face in accessing services and support due to gender, equality & discrimination?

What older person’s services and support do you have that are not being met?

List potential actions that you can take to improve access for your family and / or community to essential older person’s services and support:

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Module 3 SUPPORT NETWORKS, MUTUAL AID AND ACTION PLANNING

To gain information on support networks and mutual aid groups that are accessible by your community.

To identify support network or mutual aid group requirements that can be established by your community to support the needs of your community.

To apply the new knowledge gained on access to Social Protection Support and Services and produce an action plan for implementing improvements.

Total Time: 90 Minutes

GOALS

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SESSION 4: STRENGTHENING SUPPORT NETWORKS AND MUTUAL AID

(Total time: 60 minutes) This session is aimed at encouraging individual and community efforts to achieve independence and to improve the potential of communities to contribute positively to society. The more people that can fulfil their potential and take advantage of opportunities within the community, the less likely they are to need assistance to access services and support, and the less likely they are to be vulnerable to risk.

This can be achieved through Mutual Aid Groups, also known as Community Associations or Co-operatives. Mutual Aid groups are free for people to join and participate in, and are established and run by community members with no external financial or professional support. They are member-led and member-organized.

Support Networks and Mutual Aid Groups are established to provide services and support to people that:

• need to acquire information or skills e.g. farming co-operatives or village funds for skills development;

• are going through change e.g. migrant workers in a new country, adapting to a new culture;

• need to improve social relationships; • suffer from illness and require medical and financial support e.g. saving group

While some challenges may exist in accessing social protection in the informal economy, it is important to remember that all age groups should benefit from existing good and services. In addition, marginalised and vulnerable populations, including women and those with disabilities and HIV/AIDS should have the same access, as they can be left powerless if they are deprived of essential access to social protection. Therefore, it is important to be aware of these gaps and the impact that they can have on the community for both women and men and well as elderly and children.

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Activity 4A: Available Support Networks

Women and men face different challenges when it comes to social protection, as women are usually responsible for child and family care and men face more hazardous conditions of work. The goal of this session is to identify and discuss support networks available to men and women to provide support and assistance in their daily lives.

(20 min) 1. As a group, identify the support networks available with relation to Social Protection (5

min) 2. Divide into pairs and write down in the circles below the support networks that relate to 1)

men only, 2) men and women and 3) women only (5 min) 3. As a group, discuss the similarities and differences that each pair identified. Share ideas

on how to manage these differences and bridge the gaps (10 min)

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SUPPORT NETWORKS

Only Men

Only Women

Both

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Activity 4B: Case Study The previous sessions have provided information on Social Protection services and support. Activity 4B is about reflecting on what other Networks and Mutual Aid groups are available to you as an individual and as a community, not relating to Social Protection e.g. Village Banks, Farming Cooperatives, etc…

(20 min) 1. Individually reflect on the case study of Mrs Vilay from Session 1 (below), what support

networks or mutual aid groups are available in your community to support Mrs Vilay through this difficult period? (10 min)

2. If you cannot identify any available networks, think about a group that could be established to support women like Mrs Vilay in the future (10 min)

Mrs Vilay was unable to complete secondary schooling, however she was fortunate enough to access the government technical college which provided her a bridging program so that she could obtain a certificate in sewing.

After graduating Mrs Vilay secured a job in a large factory, but recently lost her job. With only a little savings left and no government support available, Mrs Vilay is not sure what options she has or how she will survive.

In this activity we got to think about what support networks and mutual aid groups are available; there are always options available to you.

Activity 4C: Building Networks for Social Protection

(20 min) 1. Discuss as a group the type of support or cooperation you would like to achieve through

stronger networks, and any existing experience group members have with relation to networks, village banks, mutual aid groups or co-operatives (10 min)

2. Individually list in the table below three potential benefits of building networks with relation to improving access to services and support (10 min)

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NETWORKS AND MUTUAL AID GROUPS: WHAT COULD BE THE BENEFITS?

Benefit 1

Benefit 2

Benefit 3

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SESSION 5: ACTION PLANNING

(Total time: 30 minutes)

The previous sessions have guided you through the basic principles of social protection and the support and services available to you and your community.

The goal of this session is to develop an Action Plan for your community that can be implemented by the community, creating independence.

Activity 5A: Case Study Reflection

(10 min) 1. Now return to the case studies in Session 1. Would you like to revise any of your thoughts

on the assistance / support that is available or your approaches to address any gaps, given what you have learned in this training? (10 min)

Activity 5B: Action Plan

(20 min)

1. Working in your groups complete the Action Plan below. Write down at least three improvements you can introduce within your community or workplace.

2. Next to Improvement # 1: write the name of the improvement, then complete the Action Plan for implementation including: how you will make them happen; who will be responsible for leading the improvement (that person can also be you); and setting the time frame for when you will introduce the improvement. Complete this for all three improvements. (20 min)

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LIVELIHOOD RESILIENCE AND SOCIAL PROTECTION IN THE INFORMAL ECONOMY

IMPROVEMENT # 1:

Action to be taken By Who By when

Do you need any training, support or other assistance to undertake any of the above actions:

IMPROVEMENT # 2:

Action to be taken By Who By when

Do you need any training, support or other assistance to undertake any of the above actions:

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IMPROVEMENT # 3:

Action to be taken By Who By when

Do you need any training, support or other assistance to undertake any of the above actions:

End of Training

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