C4.5.c. What is meant by “branches of social security”?

Branches of social security refer to various types of benefits classified in relation to the contingency which they seek to address and for the support of which they are provided. These social security branches in the MLC, 2006 correspond to the nine classical branches of social security laid down and defined in the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102), which should be referred to for guidance on the components and protection required under the respective branches. These nine branches are:

■ medical care;

■ sickness benefit;

■ unemployment benefit;

■ old-age benefit;

■ employment injury benefit;

■ family benefit;

■ maternity benefit;

■ invalidity benefit;

■ survivors’ benefit.

Social security