The ILO-ISSA report Bridging the Coverage Gap: Supporting Workers Through Subsidized Social Security Contributions builds on a joint compendium launched in June 2025 and case studies, providing an expansive overview of contribution subsidy schemes in different countries.

It was launched at a two-day workshop on 9 and 10 November in Amman, organized in cooperation with the Social Security Corporation (SSC) of Jordan, an ISSA member. The aim was to foster dialogue and knowledge exchange about international experiences and mechanisms for contribution subsidies across different national contexts.

Showcasing diverse national experiences from ISSA members from different countries and regions helps policymakers understand how design choices can make subsidies more effective and sustainable. The findings of the report indicate that aligning subsidy design with clear policy goals and fiscal capacity can lead to more inclusive social protection and support broader policy objectives, including formalization.

The workshop helps strengthen Jordan’s social protection system, support workers’ transition to the formal economy, and enhance collaboration between the SSC, ISSA and ILO to promote decent work for all.

Part of wider international efforts

The workshop and the reports are part of wider international efforts from the ILO and ISSA to build knowledge and promote good practices through the project  “Bridging the coverage gap – Supporting workers through subsidized social security contributions”. This project looks at policy objectives, financial design, duration and sustainability, financing and cost-bearing and targeting mechanisms, among other things.

ISSA member institutions are strongly involved. The ISSA polled 185 social security organizations in 149 countries, yielding 41 contribution subsidy scheme descriptions from 26 countries in the compendium. The ISSA and ILO organize joint webinars on the subject, building on the research, new knowledge and cooperation work with members and partner countries. The topic also received strong interest from participants at the ISSA’s recent World Social Security Forum in Malaysia. The work will continue to build knowledge on the role of social security contributions in strengthening coverage.

ISSA members involved

The ISSA member institutions contributing to the workshop in Jordan were:

• Brazil: Ministry of Social Security
• Jordan: Social Security Corporation (SSC)
• Malaysia: Social Security Organization (PERKESO)
• Philippines: Social Security System (SSS)
• Tunisia: National Social Security Fund (CNSS)
• Türkiye: Social Security Institution (SGK)
• Uruguay: Social Insurance Bank (BPS)