The global financial and economic crisis has highlighted and reinforced the need for effective social protection mechanisms that can not only prevent  households from falling into poverty but also permanently raise their earnings. Meanwhile, social protection policies must be consistent with labour market mechanisms and with employment policy in order for either or both to be as beneficial as possible.

This volume, using a broad definition of social protection, takes an in-depth look at selected programmes and their interaction with employment generation and growth in India, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Peru and Tajikistan. It focuses on poverty and aims to explore how social and economic policies can be better integrated to simultaneously advance social welfare, employment outcomes and inclusive growth.