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How mobile money is helping those in need through the pandemic

Submitted by pmassetti on

World Economic Forum (25.06.2020) Money transfers are effective ways to protect those in financial difficulties due to COVID-19. In sub-Saharan Africa, over 80% of measures announced since the beginning of the pandemic are in the form of transfers. The pandemic has led many countries to strengthen their mobile money ecosystems and address specific constraints. But the risks of accelerating mobile money include cyber-risks and digital fraud.

Topics
E-services
Service delivery
Error, evasion and fraud

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Taiwan: First "Public Health Specialists Act" in Asia passed in Taiwan

Submitted by siha on

Taiwan Today (18.05.2020) The Public Health Specialists Act, which provides for a national certification for public health professionals, passed the Legislature May 15 in Taipei City.

Regions / Country
Taiwan, China
Global challenges
Topics
Health
Health promotion
Safety and health at work
Social policies & programmes
Document Type

More than US$1 billion in coronavirus relief payments sent to dead Americans: report

Submitted by pmassetti on

Globalnews.ca (25.06.2020) Nearly 1.1 million coronavirus relief payments totaling some US$1.4 billion went to dead people, a government watchdog reported Thursday. Legal and political issues hang over the misdirected taxpayer funds, the latest example of errors in massive aid being dispensed at crisis speed.

Regions / Country
United States
Topics
Error, evasion and fraud

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Opinion: Uber Rides Cost More? OK

Submitted by pmassetti on

The New York Times (27.06.2020) Many gig-based business models help customers take advantage of workers. Let’s stop giving tech companies a free ride.

Regions / Country
United States
Topics
Extension of coverage
Digital Economy Topical Cluster
Digital Platforms
Document Type

India: Demand for speedy passage of Social Security Bill gains steam

Submitted by pmassetti on

livemint (26.06.2020) The development comes against the backdrop of the migrant issue and labour rights coming in the spotlight in the last three months. Bihar, which goes to polls later this year, was the first to demand passage of the Bill

Regions / Country
india
Topics
Migration
Social policies & programmes

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Switzerland: SwissCovid tracing app launched

Submitted by siha on

swissinfo (25.06.2020) A contact tracing app is now available in Switzerland for newer smartphones to help tackle Covid-19.

If a person tests positive for coronavirus, everyone with whom that person was in contact in previous days – within two metres and for more than 15 minutes – is alerted via the app to isolate themselves and get tested.

Regions / Country
switzerland
Topics
Health
Information and communication technology
E-services
Technological transition
Document Type

US: Trump administration sent $1.4bn in stimulus checks to dead people

Submitted by pmassetti on

The Guardian (25.06.2020) US Government Accountability Office said almost 1.1 million dead people received payments of about $1,200 each

Regions / Country
United States
Topics
Error, evasion and fraud

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Cuba: Teams of doctors and nurses are sent to the hardest hit regions in Europe

Submitted by mmarquez on

theguardian.com (06.05.2020) Now, as the world grapples with another era-shaping catastrophe, Cuban doctors and nurses are on the ground once again, only this time in a less common location: Europe.

Today, an estimated 28,000 Cuban medical professionals ply their trade overseas, primarily in the developing world.

“Yes, of course there are big human rights problems in Cuba – there have been since the start [of the revolution] and there are still problems.

Regions / Country
Europe
Global challenges
Topics
Health
Human resource management
Document Type

Social Protection Response to the COVID-19 Crisis: Options for Developing Countries

Submitted by pmassetti on

Economics for Inclusive Prosperity (April 2020) We provide an overview of the policies that could form a comprehensive social protection strategy in developing countries, with examples of specific policies adopted around the developing world in recent days. Our core argument is that middle-income and lower-income countries can cast an emergency safety net with extensive coverage if they use a broader patchwork of solutions than higher-income countries.

Topics
Social assistance

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