The Government is being urged to close loopholes around the treatment of self-employed workers following intense scrutiny of gig-economy companies such as Deliveroo and Uber. A joint draft bill from the Work and Pensions and Business Committees has argued that there should be a new “worker by default” status, which requires companies to provide basic standards and benefits.

cetusnews.com (10.11.2017) The future of work is a prime interest of the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy, started in 2013 by researchers Erik Brynjolfsson and Andy McAfee. To help come up answers to questions about the impact of automation on jobs and the effects of digital innovation, the group launched the MIT Inclusive Innovation Challenge last year, inviting organizations around the world to compete in the realm of improving the economic opportunities of middle- and base-level workers.

baguiomidlandcourier.com.ph (nov 2017) The Social Security System bagged the 2017 Government Best Practice Award (GBPR) from the Development Academy of the Philippines for its implementation of the AlkanSSSya Program to intensify social security coverage among informal sector workers.

 New Straits Times (10.11.2017) The Social Security Organisation (Socso) has brought some good news for 328,056 recipients, who will receive a raise in their pensions at a minimum rate of RM475 under the Employment Injury Scheme and Invalidity Scheme backdated to Sept 1

OECD (12.10.2017) The OECD Digital Economy Outlook 2017 looks at the potential and risks associated with the rapid development of AI and robots

ft.com (08.11.207) ‘If Uber doesn’t help pay my medical bills, I’m ruined’

lemonde.fr (06.11.2017) Les transferts sociaux permettent d’atténuer les disparités de revenus, en particulier dans les départements très riches ou très pauvres, selon une étude de l’Insee.

The New Times (07.11.2017) Currently, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are guiding the long-term development strategy of developed and developing countries. Goal 8 of SDGs aims at promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

tribuneindia (06.11.2017) The government needs to spend 3.8 per cent of the GDP on health to meet the goal of universal health coverage (UHC). New data suggests India needs to do much more than it’s doing to meet UHC targets as promised under the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Apanews.net (25.10.2017) Les pays africains sont appelés à prendre à bras-le-corps la question de la sécurité et de la protection sociales pour écrire une nouvelle page sociale africaine permettant à tout citoyen Africain de bénéficier de la couverture sociale dans le sillage d’un développement de l’équité, ont recommandé énergiquement les participants au Sommet régional de la sécurité sociale, tenu mercredi à Addis-Abeba.