Social Security

Based on Japan's knowledge and experience in social security systems, JICA is undertaking projects aimed at improving the social security systems of developing countries, focusing on the three areas of social insurance and social welfare, assistance for persons with disabilities, and labor and employment. JICA is also making efforts toward its own internal reforms, promoting projects such as disability awareness training for JICA-related personnel and promoting barrier-free environments.

Social Insurance and Social Welfare

JICA supports the development of social insurance systems such as medical insurance and pensions, as well as strengthening social welfare policies for the elderly, children and mothers. In recent times, JICA has provided assistance in the reform of pension systems in rural villages in China as well as in the development of a community-based integrated healthcare and social welfare service model for the elderly in Thailand.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities

Even though assistance for persons with disabilities is considered as a part of social welfare services, JICA views persons with disabilities not simply as recipients of welfare services but as important actors of development. JICA's ultimate goal is to build a society that is comfortable to live in for all people, regardless of disabilities.

JICA aims at assisting "full participation and equality" of people with disabilities in developing countries, with emphasis on assistance which ensures active participation of persons with disabilities in society. JICA is working to empower persons with disabilities through leadership training and strengthening disabled people's organizations, as well as creating barrier-free environments. The Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) is a good example of such efforts.

APCD places a fundamental value on the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities in the communities in which they live. APCD was the pioneer in the dispatch of experts with intellectual disabilities to other countries. APCD has also carried out on two occasions barrier-free rural community training courses targeting architects, government officials and persons with disabilities, which resulted in the formation of domestic networks consisting of these three groups. This network enables the involvement of persons with disabilities in the planning stage of construction works of public facilities that has resulted in the realization of barrier-free subways and shopping malls.

Labor and Employment

In addition to assistance in the development of policies for labor and employment, JICA provides support in the field of work placement services, labor standards, occupational health and safety, labor-management and labor insurance (employment insurance, workers' accident compensation) to improve those services. Establishment of legal frameworks and enforcement of such legislation in the field of labor, especially in occupational health and safety, tends to be underdeveloped in developing countries, resulting in inadequate protection of workers. Workers who have been injured at work may not receive appropriate medical care or compensation, giving rise to the risk that they will lose their source of income, and as a result, fall into extreme poverty.

JICA is providing assistance in improving occupational health and safety in Malaysia and China, and improving job placement services in Indonesia based on the "Hello Work" job placement system in Japan.