Social security coverage is currently very limited in many countries in the region, including in Indonesia and Timor-Leste where the majority of workers are in so-called vulnerable employment, namely rural farmers, self-employed persons and those working in small enterprises with unstable status such as short-term contracts, part-time jobs and hence lacking necessary protections they deem to have. 

Yet, in recent years, the importance of social security in social and economic development has become more and more apparent. Social security should not be seen as a cost, but as an investment in human capital that leads to better productivity. It is also an effective way of reducing poverty, encouraging equity and supporting economic and social stability.

The ILO continuously advocates and fosters the extension of social security through research, knowledge sharing, technical services, the development of appropriate tools and other capacity-building activities. The ILO's work in this area places particular emphasis on technical services, knowledge products and policy advice that will support the extension of social protection.