9 The right to social security of the workers in the informal economy/ sector In addition to the FGDs, published reports by CSOs, country reports, news, and other relevant literature were also reviewed to explore existing information in the subject matter, gain an understanding of the context, and support the primary data gathered. II. The right to social security The right to social security encompasses the right to access and maintain benefits, whether in cash or in-kind, without discrimination in order to secure protection, inter alia, from (a) lack of work-related income caused by sickness, disability, maternity, employment injury, unemployment, old age, or death of a family member; (b) unaffordable access to health care; and (c) insufficient family support, particularly for children and adult dependents.14 Like the other economic, social, and cultural rights, the right to social security is widely recognized in several human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and it is vital for guaranteeing a life in dignity. The right to social security was first recognized under Articles 22 and 25 of the UDHR in 1948 and was subsequently adopted in numerous international human rights treaties15 and regional human rights treaties.16 This right was likewise affirmed at the International Labour Conference in 2001 which was composed of representatives of States, employers, and workers, where they asserted that social security “is a basic human right and a fundamental means for creating social cohesion.”17 Social security, as a fundamental human right and component of livelihood, is central in reducing discrimination and instrumental in alleviating poverty and promoting social inclusion. It aims to provide income security and support at every stage of life for everyone, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner, About the right to social security and human rights, available at https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/RightSocialSecurity/Pages/AboutSocialSecurityandHR.aspx (last accessed September 7, 2021). 15 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), article 5 (e) (iv); Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, articles 11, para. 1 (e) and 14, para. 2 (c); and Convention on the Rights of the Child, article 26. 16 see American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, article XVI; Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic Social and Cultural Rights (Protocol of San Salvador), article 9; European Social Charter (and 1996 revised version), articles 12, 13 and 14. 17 International Labour Conference, 89th session, report of the Committee on Social Security, resolutions and conclusions concerning social security. 14