SAAPE members convened the event “Social Security in South Asia: Perspectives and Imperatives” on 16 February 2024 to delve into the intricacies of the region’s social security landscape. The event aimed to shed light on the existing challenges and offer recommendations for the expansion of coverage so as to reach the goal of universal provisioning of public services.
During the event, Khalid Mahmood, labour rights activist from Pakistan, provided a stark portrayal of South Asia’s socio-economic landscape. He underscored the pervasive issues of poverty, inequality, and vulnerability that continue to afflict the region. Central to his discourse was the theme of income inequality, which looms large across countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, where economic policies often tilt in favour of the affluent, perpetuating disparities and social stratification.
Professor Babu P Remesh from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi explained how inequality and poverty are getting worse in South Asia. Against the backdrop of structural adjustment programs and liberalisation measuresadopted since the 1990s, South Asia has witnessed a widening gulf between the haves and have-nots. Traditional livelihoods have dwindled, giving way to increased distress migration, while welfare measures for the marginalised have languished on the peripheries of policy agenda.
Indu Tuladhar, an advocate, unpacked the intricacies of Nepal’s social protection landscape, revealing a patchwork of programs grappling with issues of coverage, implementation, and inclusivity. She further delved into the discouraging trend of employment crises, migration trends, and shifting labour dynamics that have come to define Nepal’s socio-economic fabric.
Similarly, labour rights activist Chamila Thushari from Sri Lanka highlighted the harsh conditions of Sri Lanka’s garment workers and demanded fair wages and accountability from global brands, emphasizing the importance of dignified livelihoods for those working in the industry. Govinda Rizal, a human rights activist from Bhutan, shed light on Bhutan’s social security challenges, stating the harsh truths of increasing inequality and youth unemployment debunking the country’s reputation as “one of the happiest places on earth.” Sumi Shahnaz, a women’s rights activist from Bangladesh, underscored the transformative potential of targeted interventions, with emphasis on gender-specific interventions, in reshaping Bangladesh’s social protection architecture.
Activist SQ Masood’s comprehensive overview of India’s social security measures shed light on the intricate web of schemes and policies governing the country’s social protection landscape. From pensions to health insurance, Masood’s deliberation highlighted the multifaceted nature of India’s social security apparatus, underlining the constitutional imperatives and the need for enhanced implementation.
Public health activist Sharadraj Onta criticised the privatisation of healthcare sector in Nepal, which has transformed healthcare into a market
commodity. The commodification of health services has led to exorbitant costs, pushing hundreds of thousands into poverty as they grapple with the financial burden of healthcare expenses.
Towards the end, Mohan Mani, a labour rights researcher, underscored the far-reaching impact of neoliberal economic policies on informal workers, emphasising the urgent need for concerted action and collective mobilisation to address the pressing social security challenges facing South Asia.