The state of social insurance for agricultural workers in the Near East and North Africa and challenges for expansion

Abstract

Agricultural workers are exposed to many risks during their life cycle and are particularly vulnerable to covariate risks, such as droughts, armed conflict and pandemics. Despite the great potential of social protection policies to protect this segment of the population, agricultural workers are commonly excluded from social protection systems, especially contributory ones. This Working Paper examines the barriers for agricultural workers to participate in contributory schemes, highlighting good practices being adopted in NENA countries to address them.