Foreword ... iii Executive summary ... vii Abbreviations and acronyms ... xi 1. Introduction ... 1 1.1. Background and objectives ... 1 1.2. Definitions and available statistical material ... 2 2. Methods ... 5 3. Theoretical framework: Social protection, working conditions, productivity and social impact ... 7 3.1. Social protection ... 7 3.2. Working conditions ... 7 3.3. Productivity ... 8 3.4. Linking social protection, working conditions and productivity ... 9 3.5. Economic impact of pro-SME policies ... 11 4. Social protection in SMEs: Obligations and barriers to effective access ... 13 4.1. Policies and coverage ... 13 4.2. Employer obligations ... 15 4.3. Barriers to effective access ... 17 4.4. Specific challenges for small enterprises in the informal economy ... 17 5. Impacts of social protection and working conditions in SMEs ... 20 5.1. Gaps in social protection: Impacts on workers and their families ... 20 5.2. Occupational safety and health ... 21 6. Effects of social protection on productivity in SMEs ... 23 6.1. Measurement of productivity impacts ... 23 6.2. Empirical findings ... 26 7. Social protection and SMEs at a glance in selected countries ... 29 7.1. An overview ... 29 7.2. Case study on India: Social protection in health of workers in SMEs ... 33 8. Recommendations and policy advice to address current deficits ... 49 8.1. Theoretical and practical challenges ... 49 8.2. Addressing research gaps ... 50 8.3. Providing a supportive business environment ... 51 8.4. Specific suggestions for organizations and institutions ... 52 9. Conclusion ... 54 Bibliography ... 57