🔆 In the recent event of coronavirus epidemics, there is an urgent need for effective social security measures in place. Discuss.
📍 Introduction
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), social security refers to the protection provided by society through public measures against economic and social distress. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that a public-health emergency can rapidly transform into an economic and social crisis, especially for vulnerable sections.
📍 Why are effective social security measures urgently needed?
🟢 Health risks: Universal and affordable healthcare is essential to protect people against illness, disability, maternity and other health-related contingencies.
🟢 Loss of livelihoods: Lockdowns and disruption of economic activity can lead to job losses, wage cuts and unemployment, particularly in the informal sector.
🟢 Poverty and inequality: Poor households often lack savings, insurance and access to adequate healthcare, making them more vulnerable during prolonged crises.
🟢 Food insecurity and malnutrition: Income disruptions can reduce access to nutritious food, worsening undernutrition and weakening the capacity to withstand health crises.
🟢 Migrant workers: Loss of employment and income can trigger distress migration, as seen during COVID-19, highlighting the need for portable social security benefits.
🟢 Women’s vulnerability: Women often face greater job losses, increased unpaid care work and reduced access to healthcare during crises.
🟢 Informal workers: A large section of India’s workforce remains outside formal employment-based social protection, exposing them to sudden income shocks.
📍 Way Forward
🟢 Strengthen existing schemes: Effectively utilise and expand PDS, MGNREGA, social pensions, PM-JAY and other welfare programmes.
🟢 Universal and portable social protection: Ensure basic social security, especially for migrant and informal workers, irrespective of their location.
🟢 Cash and food support: Provide timely direct benefit transfers and food security to vulnerable households during emergencies.
🟢 Employment protection: Support workers and small enterprises to prevent unnecessary layoffs and safeguard livelihoods.
🟢 Continuity of essential services: Healthcare, food distribution and other critical public services should continue while ensuring necessary health safeguards.
🟢 Price monitoring: Prevent hoarding and excessive price rises in essential goods during emergencies.
🟢 Strengthen public health systems: Increase public health capacity, disease surveillance, healthcare infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
📍 Conclusion
The COVID-19 crisis showed that social security is not merely a welfare measure but an essential instrument of resilience. India needs a comprehensive, universal and portable social protection architecture to protect lives and livelihoods during future health and economic shocks.
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August 30, 2026 481
