Social Protection and Labor at the World Bank, 2000-2008 presents a progress review of sector strategy by the World Bank, published in early 2001. The strategy proposed a new conceptual framework - Social Risk Management - to review and reform existing interventions and propose new ones that better assist vulnerable people in addressing the many risks to which they are exposed. Based on this framework and in line with the World Bank's vision and mission of poverty reduction and inclusive and sustainable globalization, the SP&L strategy has three broad policy objectives: improving earning opportunities and the quality of jobs; increasing security through better risk management for households and communities; and, enhancing equity and reducing extreme poverty through better assistance programs for vulnerable groups. The reviews of the strategic directions, the achieved results, and the analytical work and lending operations, in this book, suggest substantial progress; they also point out the need for further work at the level of data, empirical analysis, policy design, and implementation. This book will be of interest to members of the international community, government, nongovernmental organizations, and researchers working in the areas of labor markets, pension reform, social safety nets, social funds, disability issues, and vulnerability analysis.
