Acknowledgements .... ix List of acronyms .... xi 1. Introduction .... 1 2. The importance of independent work and coverage levels .... 3 3. Summary of innovative mechanisms to extend social insurance coverage to independent workers .... 5 3.1. Differentiated contributory categories .... 5 3.2. Collective registration systems .... 7 3.3. Special mechanisms for collecting contributions .... 8 3.4. Mechanisms aimed at including micro and small companies .... 9 3.5. Mechanisms aimed at including agricultural independent workers .... 11 3.6. Pro-active and independent worker proximity approach .... 12 4. Brazil - The extension of the General Social Insurance Scheme .... 14 4.1. Social security coverage situation .... 14 4.2. Innovative measures for inclusion in social insurance .... 15 4.2.1. Differentiation of contributory categories .... 16 4.2.2. Granting of incentives to small and medium companies .... 17 5. Cape Verde - A pro-active approach to extending coverage to independent workers .... 20 5.1. Coverage situation of independent workers .... 20 5.2. Innovative mechanisms in independent workers' coverage .... 21 5.2.1. Mandatory registration of independent workers .... 22 5.2.2. Benefits matching the benefits of employed workers .... 22 5.2.3. Contributions according to income categories .... 22 5.2.4. Pro-active approach to extending coverage to independent workers .... 23 5.2.5. Greater proximity of the INPS to independent workers .... 24 5.3. Challenges .... 25 6. Colombia – Best practice in independent workers' coverage .... 26 6.1. Characterization of the Colombian Social Security System .... 26 6.2. Independent work in Colombia .... 26 6.3. Social security coverage of independent workers .... 28 6.4. Innovative mechanisms in independent workers' coverage .... 30 6.4.1. Integrated Form for Contribution Settlement (PILA) .... 30 6.4.2. Single Registry of Contributors (RUC) .... 31 6.4.3. Collective Registration .... 31 6.4.4. Legislative changes in special cases .... 31 7. Costa Rica – Best practice in adapting social insurance to independent workers .... 33 7.1. Genesis of best practices of independent workers' social protection .... 33 7.2. CCSS adaptation to the needs of independent workers .... 36 7.2.1.State contribution subsidization inversely proportional to the contributory capacity of each socio-professional group/income .... 36 7.2.2. High level of contributory solidarity from employed work .... 38 7.2.3. Mandatory contributory registration requirement .... 38 7.2.4. Collective registration agreements with organizations of producers grouped into associations and cooperatives .... 39 7.2.5. Contribution portability (with maintenance of rights) between the workers registered as employed and those registered as self-employed, and vice-versa .... 40 7.2.6. Decrease in transaction costs .... 40 7.3. Challenges .... 40 8. Ecuador - The case of the Peasants' Social Insurance .... 42 8.1. Main characteristics of the Ecuadorian Social Security System .... 42 8.2. Participation of the farming population in the Ecuadorian labour market .... 42 8.3. Innovations in Peasants‘ Social Insurance .... 44 8.3.1. Focus on rural population coverage .... 45 8.3.2. Highly subsidized financing mode .... 45 8.3.3. Important geographic presence and service infrastructure .... 46 8.3.4. Management Structure .... 46 8.3.5. Great importance in the national political scene .... 46 9. Philippines - The use of information technologies in extending coverage .... 48 9.1. Introduction .... 48 9.2. Independent workers in the Philippines .... 48 9.3. Social Security for independent workers .... 49 9.4. Mechanisms to extend coverage to independent workers .... 51 10. France – Social security coverage of independent workers in the schemes RSI and MSA .. 55 10.1. Independent workers in France .... 55 10.2. Social Protection Schemes .... 56 10.3. Innovations for independent workers‘ social protection .... 60 10.3.1. Towards adapted benefit packages .... 60 10.3.2. Differentiated contributions and financing mechanisms .... 60 10.3.3. Adapted collection mechanisms .... 62 10.3.4. Administrative innovations .... 63 10.4. Challenges ahead .... 64 11. Uruguay - The inclusion of independent workers in the Monotributo scheme .... 66 11.1. Independent work coverage and Monotributo genesis .... 66 11.2. Reform of the Monotributo Scheme .... 69 11.2.1. Type of authorized companies .... 69 11.2.2. Type and maximum number of authorized business activities and authorized places for their development .... 70 11.2.3. Maximum number of authorized stations or small locations .... 71 11.2.4. Type of authorized buyers (clients) .... 71 11.2.5. Types of authorized sales .... 71 11.2.6. Maximum authorized annual turnover by type of economic activity .... 71 11.2.7. Monthly amount of the Monotributo scheme, and allocation computable in the social security system .... 72 11.2.8. Type of retirees authorized to register as a contributor tp the Monotributo scheme .... 73 11.3. Lessons to be learned and future challenges .... 75 12. Conclusions .... 79 13. Bibliography .... 83