Peru improves its welfare policies

After identifying the need for the portability of Peruvian migrant workers’ rights and providing adequate coverage for atypical workers (defined as micro-enterprises, part-time workers, self-employed workers and freelancers), the SOCIEUX + programme , financed by the European Union and managed by the FIIAPP, has provided technical assistance to improve the labour rights of workers in Peru.

This contribution has begun with an initial evaluation of bilateral social security agreements and the development of a reference model based on European and international standards and good practices. Likewise, a training seminar was held where SOCIEUX + experts presented the social protection systems of the countries with the largest number of Peruvian migrant workers.

The Labour Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Labour and Employment Promotion of Peru (MTPE) has expressed its desire to improve the ability to negotiate and establish bilateral agreements between Peru and countries that have a significant number of Peruvian workers such as the United States, Spain, Argentina, Italy, Chile or Japan, among others. These alliances aim to allow migrant workers who apply for work abroad to access benefits such as medical care, economic benefits and family assistance.

On the other hand, the importance of extending welfare coverage to atypical workers in Peru is due to the fact that in 2016, only 33% of the 16 million economically active people in the country were covered by a public or private a welfare plan, leaving more than 10 million people without coverage.