With the spread of globalization and interconnectivity in various aspects of modern society driven by continuing advances in technology, the world is, indeed, getting smaller. Institutions can be rendered vulnerable to developments not only in their immediate environment but even in the global milieu.
On the positive side, these linkages, spanning across nations, also facilitate faster and more meaningful collaborations and information sharing, affording institutions with critical knowledge and fresh perspectives that they can apply and modify in their respective policies and operations.
Among the organizations that understand the significance of linkages for adapting to the changing world is the Social Security System (SSS). The state-run pension fund is one of the 322 member-organizations from more than 150 countries under the International Social Security Association (Issa). Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Switzerland, Issa focuses on promoting excellence in social-security administration by establishing international standards and enabling the exchange of up-to-date information, technical guidance and best practices among its members.
Closer to home, SSS is also one of the 19 member-organizations under the Asean Social Security Association (Assa), which aims to foster regional social-security cooperation and development in countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) such as Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. SSS, represented by then-administrator Renato C. Valencia, also carries the distinction as one of the original seven member organizations that signed the memorandum of agreement in Bangkok, Thailand, which marked the birth of Assa in 1998.
Issa and Assa assist their member organizations by disseminating information on current and emerging social-security trends, opportunities and threats. Issa, for example, has identified external challenges faced by SSS and similar organizations in the Asia-Pacific region, which include the changing public attitudes to social security, demographic evolutions, fiscal environments, labor market situations and development of schemes outside formal structures, to name a few.
Issa also drew the attention of its members in the region to existing internal challenges, such as improving service quality and accessibility, reducing fraud, planning and implementing social-security reforms, developing human resources, and identifying administrative solutions to reach out to populations, among other concerns.
Meanwhile, Assa reminded its own members to remain wary of global demographic trends, such as aging populations and longer life spans, that can affect the implementation of their respective social-security programs. Assa also highlighted the importance of engaging the public in meaningful discussions about social security since it is a complex topic that may easily be misunderstood. Moreover, this misunderstanding may be further compounded by inaccurate information easily accessible in modern communication channels, such as the social media.
Among the tools used by Issa and Assa in disseminating information include the publication of policy analyses, research findings and other types of reports. These associations also hold forums, conferences, seminars and similar activities attended by social-security professionals from all over the world. Issa, for example, shares that an average of over 1,500 participants attend its events every year.
As part of its objective of promoting excellence among its members, Issa has also released guidelines on core areas, such as good governance, service quality, information and communication technology, contribution collection and compliance, investment of social-security funds, return to work and reintegration, workplace health promotion, and prevention of occupational risks.
From its end, SSS also shares its own experiences to provide fellow social-security institutions with ideas that they can adopt and implement for the benefit of their members and stakeholders in their respective countries.
Both Issa and Assa have recognized the gains achieved by SSS in its campaign to promote inclusive growth through various programs that target vulnerable and hard-to-reach workers who need social protection the most, such as the informally employed. Just last year, SSS received a Certificate of Merit with Special Mention during the Issa Good Practice Awards held in Oman, as well as the Assa Recognition Award under the Innovation Excellence category during the 32nd Assa Board Meeting held in Singapore.
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For more details on SSS programs, members can drop by the nearest SSS branch, visit the SSS web site (www.sss.gov.ph), or contact the SSS call center at 920-6446 to 55, which accepts calls from 7 a.m. on Monday all the way to 7 a.m. on Saturday.
Susie G. Bugante is the vice president for public affairs and special events of the SSS. Send comments about this column to susiebugante.bmirror@gmail.com.