news

How trade policy can help create a fairer digital economy

Submitted by pmassetti on
World Economic Forum (15.09.2025) The digital economy is transforming livelihoods at an unprecedented pace, with digital services accounting for over half of global services exports. As digital labour becomes a key export for many developing countries, questions of trade policy and standards lie alongside those about jobs. The priority should be building a digital economy that delivers innovation and growth, as well as dignity, fairness and security for workers worldwide.
Topics
Platform workers
Digital plateform workers
Document Type

Mexico’s Politics Of Pensions

Submitted by pmassetti on
eurasiareview.com (08.09.2025) Like many countries with an aging population, Mexico is facing a pension crisis. In just the last five years, the universal pension for older adults quadrupled its budget. Coupled with low growth, the ever-rising cash transfers and subsidies have become a major drag on the country’s economy. Welfare payments to individuals—such as the universal pension for older adults, disability pensions, and student stipends—have grown at a pace that outstripped investment in infrastructure, education, and security.
Regions / Country
mexico
Topics
Pensions
Document Type

Malaysia: Dewan Rakyat passes Gig Workers Bill

Submitted by pmassetti on
freemalaysiatoday.com (28.08.2025) The Dewan Rakyat has passed the Gig Workers Bill 2025, which sets out rights for gig workers and rules for firms and platforms that hire them. The bill makes it clear that gig workers must get fair terms in their agreements, be told of their pay and tasks in advance, and their services cannot be terminated without good cause. Key elements include an official definition of gig workers, setting minimum compensation, establishing a complaints mechanism, and ensuring social security protection through mandatory contributions to Perkeso.
Regions / Country
malaysia
Topics
Platform workers
Document Type

US. New Portable Benefits Bill Aims To Help Gig Workers, But Worker Classification Still Matters

Submitted by pmassetti on
Pension Policy International (19.08.2025) Senator Bill Cassidy (R- IL) uncovered the Unlocking Benefits for Independent Workers Act to prevent gig worker misclassification. Under this legislation, companies will be able to voluntarily offer portable benefits without employing gig workers and having to pay for unemployment insurance, overtime pay, and workers’ compensation. For some time, there has been a disagreement between labor advocates and large companies like Uber or Lyft over portable benefits.
Regions / Country
United States
Topics
Platform workers
Document Type

How contribution subsidies like Jordan’s Estidama++ are redrawing the social protection map

Submitted by pmassetti on
ilo.org (16.07.2025) The Arab Social Protection Compass series hosted a webinar on the topic titled 'Bridging the Coverage and Formalization Gap Through Subsidized Social Security Contributions', where the results of the global study were discussed. The session brought together lessons from selected country experiences, including Jordan’s Estidama++ programme, an example of how well-designed subsidies can lead to lasting results. “Jordan’s Estidama++ programme stands out as a case where a short-term subsidy led to lasting enrolment in social security system.
Regions / Country
jordan
Global challenges
Topics
Extension of coverage
Document Type

South Korea: New Proposal Seeks to Extend Employer Pension Contributions to Gig Workers

Submitted by pmassetti on
koreabizwire.com (10.07.2025) South Korea is weighing a significant pension reform that could bring platform workers — such as food delivery riders and chauffeur-for-hire drivers — under the same pension contribution scheme as regular employees, with their platforms potentially covering half of their premiums.
Regions / Country
korea, Republic of
Topics
Pensions
Platform workers
Digital plateform workers
Document Type

Greece becomes first in Europe to offer home delivery of high-cost medicines

Submitted by pmassetti on
The Greek Herald (16.06.2025) Starting June 16, Greece has become the first country in Europe to provide free home delivery of high-cost medications through its national health insurance agency, EOPYY. The program is expected to support around 139,000 patients, including those undergoing cancer treatment and individuals with chronic illnesses who depend on EOPYY pharmacies for their medications. EOPYY President Theano Karpodini hailed the initiative as a landmark in public healthcare.
Regions / Country
greece
Global challenges
Topics
Health
Document Type

Malaysia : Socso aims to start mandatory contribution for gig workers at 1.25% per ride or delivery from 2026

Submitted by pmassetti on
theedgemalaysia.com (17.06.2025) The Social Security Organisation (Socso), also known as Perkeso, aims to introduce mandatory contributions for gig economy workers starting January 2026. This initiative is part of broader efforts to extend social protection to Malaysia's expanding informal workforce which, according to official data, constitutes over 25% of the country’s workforce.
Regions / Country
malaysia
Topics
Platform workers
Document Type

Activating the aging agenda: A fresh look at an overlooked mega trend

Submitted by pmassetti on
worldbank.org (17.06.2025) Almost every country in the world today is facing a predictable, but addressable, trend that will profoundly impact societies and economies: Aging. Despite numerous calls  to action, the aging agenda remains under the radar, especially when compared to other “mega trends” like climate change and digital transformation. 
Global challenges
Topics
Old-age pensions
Document Type