Social Protection Floor Assessment and Matrix - Preliminary Findings - Bangkok, 10 August 2011 Celine Felix

As it was already mentioned… We use the Social Protection Floor Framework with the four guarantees as benchmark to review all existing schemes in Thailand … Not only social assistance programs! … With the objective to look not only at schemes implemented/ planned at central level, but also at decentralized level and/ or implemented by the community as long as they provide/ have the potential to provide rights based, systemic, predictable protection

Poverty line (1500 baths) used as minimum level of income support Health care: Looking at access of All to preventive as well as curative care Do the schemes in place allow to provide access to essential services to all? Income support for children, working age and the elderly: Looking at transfers in cash and in kind that provide protection against social risks and needs and guarantee access to nutrition, education and care Poverty line (1500 baths) used as minimum level of income support Add part from Dr Somchai

Bilateral Consultations How did we proceed? Today!! To consolidate Desk review (June 2011 with inputs of UN agencies) Bilateral Consultations (July) Consultative meeting Met with MSDHS,NESDB, SSO, HISRO, TDRI, Social Partners, Chulalonkorn University, HelpAge, FoPDEV, Actors working on HIV sensitive social protection, Mahidol University

Preliminary findings

Health Does Thailand provide access to essential services for All ?

The “official” social health protection coverage Formal workers working in establishments of more than 1 employee covered by SSS + NV and newly immigrated workers under MoU Everybody is legally covered! Civil servants and families covered by CSMBS UC scheme cover those not covered by other schemes+ role of volunteers Poor & vulnerable Informal economy Private sector Civil serv 7% 78% 15%

The real social health protection coverage Issue of vertical inequality Fragmented schemes! Pb of outreach, stateless, undocumented migrant workers Geographic imbalances Poor & vulnerable Informal economy Private sector Civil serv 7% 78% 15%

Children Does Thailand ensure  income   security to families   through   transfers   in   kind  or  in  cash,  at  the  level  of   the   nationally   defined   poverty   line,  so as to ensure  children access   to   nutrition,   education   and  care? 

The “official” social protection for children: Programs for children living with HIV Free lunches in primary schools Non Formal education programs Scolarrships to disadvantaged children Child Allowance under SSS Children Financial Aid for associated costs Reimbursement of education fee up to 25 yrs Everybody can enjoy free education! Poor & vulnerable Informal economy Private sector Civil serv 7% 78% 15%

The real social protection for children: Programs for children living with HIV: on demand! Free luches in primary schools: implementation issues Non Formal education programs Scolarships to disadvantaged children: scattered! Child Allowance under SSS:350 baths/ month- Only Private sector workers until the age of 6 Children Financial Aid for associated costs Reimbursement of education fee up to 25 yrs Everybody can enjoy free education! But equity and quality issues! Poor & vulnerable Informal economy Private sector Civil serv 7% 78% 15%

Working Age population Does Thailand ensure  income   security to All  those  in  active  age  groups   who  cannot  (or  should  not,  in   case   of   pregnancy)   earn   a   sufficient   income?

The “official” income support for working age population Formal workers working in establishments of more than 1 employee covered by Social Security Act (7 contingencies) + NV and newly immigrated workers under MoU Voluntary scheme covering Health/Accident, Invalidity, death (100 baths (70/30)) Self employed covered by Social Security Act Art 39 Schemes implemented by MSDHS Vocational training Poor & vulnerable Informal economy Private sector Civil serv 7% 78% 15%

The real income support for working age population Fragmented schemes! Formal workers working in establishments of more than 1 employee covered by Social Security Act (7 contingencies) + NV and newly immigrated workers under MoU – Exclusion problems, Compliance issues Voluntary scheme covering Health/Accident, Invalidity, death (100 baths (70/30)): 400 000 people covered, not attractive package?, Self employed covered by Social Security Act Art 39 Schemes implemented by MSDHS Vocational training: effectiveness issues For the farmers??? Poor & vulnerable Informal economy Private sector Civil serv 7% 78% 15%

The Elderly Does Thailand ensure  income   security to All  residents in old age and with heavy disabilities?

The “official” income support for the elderly Formal workers working in establishments of more than 1 employee covered through contributory pension National Savings Fund Coverage for government officials, state owned ent. Workers and private teachers Means tested transfer of 2000 baths Coverage under Art 40 + Ministry of Finance Tax exemption 500 baths pension scheme for + 60 Poor & vulnerable Informal economy Private sector Civil serv 7% 78% 15%

The real income support for the elderly Fragmented!!! Formal workers working in establishments of more than 1 employee covered through contributory pension National Savings Fund Coverage for government officials, state owned ent. Workers and private teachers: no portability Means tested transfer of 2000 baths Coverage under Art 40 lump sum + Ministry of Finance 500 baths pension scheme for + 60 = 1/3 of Poverty line Poor & vulnerable Informal economy Private sector Civil serv 7% 78% 15%