It is essential that social security institutions engaged in the design, delivery, promotion, advocacy and support of effective employment programmes include a broad range of institutional and individual stakeholders in the process. While they are often constrained through their respective legislative frameworks, this should not prevent them from seeking to improve access to employment and to obtain better retention or return-to-work outcomes by learning from a broad range of national and international experiences.

The following guidelines are organized in six parts:

Part A, Basic Principles, incorporates six guidelines and provides guidance on the identification of stakeholders, the legal basis of the programme for return to work after unemployment, and the need to refer to international good practice. It also deals with the evaluation of policies, programmes and services and the good governance of institutions.

As has been clearly defined by a study by Belgium’s Bureau fédéral du Plan (le coût budgétaire d’un chômeur de 1987 à 2002, Brussels, 2004) unemployment leads to human, social and economic costs, which can be broken down into three major categories:

These guidelines focus on individuals who have lost or are in danger of losing their jobs as a result of economic factors, the evolution of technological processes, the relocation of production units or any other cause except illness or injury. The latter is covered in the ISSA Guidelines on Return to Work and Reintegration. These guidelines are also directed at young jobseekers who do not find work immediately after the completion of their studies.

Member organizations of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) that are involved in the management of employment insurance and assistance schemes, either directly or indirectly, comprise a broad and diverse group of social security institutions. In addition to evolving economic, demographic and labour market changes, new and significant challenges are being imposed on many of these organizations.

Work is critical to all dimensions of life, for citizens and for society; it is a key factor for economic productivity and wealth creation and contributes to social harmony and stability. It is often said that a decent job is the best form of social security, but how to ensure that anyone can access a decent job?

The ISSA Guidelines for Social Security Administration were prepared by the ISSA General Secretariat with the ISSA technical commissions.

The institution – if it covers work-related traffic and/or commuting accidents – cooperates with employers and road safety stakeholders to address these risks.

Among the many occupational risks to be addressed are the widespread hazards involved in transporting goods and passengers by public transport. Occupational risks in transportation account for a large number of accidents and are among the many which may be insured by a social security institution.

The institution places special emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises and delivers prevention services tailored to their needs and possibilities.