Policies of economic austerity around the world are putting the human right to social security at risk, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Isabel Ortiz, the ILO’s Director of Social Protection, argues that as government budgets continue to be squeezed, social security programmes are being cut, which is depressing economic activity still further.

The ILO said that only 20 per cent of the world’s population has adequate social security coverage such as pensions and unemployment insurance.

More than half lack any coverage at all.

Peter Foster reports.

Duration: 2’39”