They have the obligation to fulfil the right to social security / social protection i.e. they have to take appropriate legislative, administrative, budgetary, judicial or other measures to ensure that the right is fulfilled. Social protection schemes designed to provide minimum social security to all would come under this commitment - though the obligation does not necessarily mean that the State has to directly provide social protection itself; it can facilitate or encourage third party actions:
Obligation can be of conduct: States have to take the necessary steps to realize a particular right. This would include an obligation to take steps towards ensuring the realization of social security and more broadly developing a social protection strategy. Other parties (e.g., local communities, health professionals, intergovernmental organizations, civil society organizations, as well as the private business sector) can also play a part in the progressive implementation of this right or the denunciation of its violation, although they are not ultimately responsible for its fulfilment.
Obligation can also be of result: States have to achieve specific targets to satisfy a specific standard. In this case, States have the duty to actually ensure social protection in line with the policy and legislative framework they have adopted.
A wide range of mechanisms can be used to implement strategies extending social security:
Social insurance schemes can extend existing or modified benefits to previously excluded groups or contingencies, either on a compulsory or voluntary basis. They may also enhance their effectiveness through improved governance and design.
Special social insurance schemes can be set up for excluded groups.
Universal benefits covering the whole target population without any condition or income test (for instance, those over a certain age) can be implemented.
Social assistance programs targeting specific vulnerable groups can also be implemented: waivers, social pensions / cash benefits, conditional cash transfers (for instance on school attendance).
A complementary option is to encourage and support the development of micro-insurance and innovative decentralized social security schemes to provide social protection through communities, social partners or civil society organizations.
