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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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Moldova: increase in the unemployment benefit and extension of coverage

Submitted by cambrosio on

moldpres.md (21.04.2020)

There has been an increase in the amount of unemployment benefit by almost 55% and the extension of eligibility criteria for unemployment benefits. The large number of labour migrants returned to the country after losing their jobs abroad will be automatically entitled to this social allowance. In the circumstances of an emergency, the unemployment benefit is also granted to patent holders and self-employed individuals in the retail trade sector.

Regions / Country
moldova, Republic of
Global challenges
Topics
Unemployment
Document Type

Peru Allows Early Withdrawals from Mandatory Individual Accounts During Pandemic

Submitted by cambrosio on

elperuano.pe (08.05.2020)

On May 8, Peru implemented new rules allowing participants in the country's mandatory individual account program (Sistema Privado de Pensiones, or SPP) to make one-time early withdrawals from their accounts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The allowed withdrawal amount depends on a participant's account balance.

Regions / Country
peru
Global challenges
Topics
Old-age pensions

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Canda: Not enough done to protect migrant farm workers

Submitted by mmarquez on

The Globe and Mail (16.06.2020) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it is time to find ways to better protect migrant farm workers who are essential to Canada’s food system but have been hard hit by the pandemic because of overcrowded housing, unsafe working conditions and precarious immigration status. At his daily briefing Tuesday, Mr. Trudeau said he has personally reassured Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador that Ottawa is working to contain outbreaks at Canadian farms, where hundreds of migrant workers have tested positive for COVID-19.

Regions / Country
canada
Topics
Migration
Document Type

A post-Covid-19 social protection architecture for India - analysis

Submitted by pmassetti on

Hindustan Times (11.06.2020) Stronger social protection led by an inclusive growth dividend will protect the vulnerable and drive India’s economic recovery

Regions / Country
india
Topics
Social policies & programmes
Document Type