Ep. 67 | Fiscal Space as a Policy Choice: Closing the Social Protection Coverage Gap

How can countries mobilise the resources needed to expand social protection coverage? Financing gaps are often presented as fixed constraints, but a new toolkit developed by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) highlights how policy choices can help expand fiscal space. The toolkit also includes a calculator to estimate the cost of universal coverage in each country and explore potential sources of financing. The calculator will soon be available online to a wider audience. 

Featuring discussions of case studies from Honduras, Moldova, Morocco, Pakistan and Senegal, this episode explores how domestic reforms and international mechanisms can help close financing gaps for social protection, as well as the role of trade unions in advocating for more inclusive and sustainable systems. 

The discussion examines how progressive taxation, the reallocation of military and fossil fuel spending, and labour market formalisation could help mobilise resources for social protection. It also explores international measures, including debt restructuring, Special Drawing Rights and greater tax cooperation. Our guests discuss the political and economic trade-offs involved in these reforms, the challenges posed by debt and tax avoidance, and how trade unions can help turn potential financing opportunities into concrete policy action. 

 

Meet our guests: 

Beatrice di Padua, Advisor for Economic and Social Policies, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) 

Lara Merling, Policy & Research Fellow, University College London 

Polina Fisticanu, Head of Social and Economic Protection Department, National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova 

 

For our Quick Wins segment, we spoke with Anand Ramesh Kumar, Social Development Specialist (Social Protection) at ADB, who shared key highlights and takeaways from the Asia Pacific Social Protection Week 2026, including emerging trends and innovative approaches to social protection across the region. A dedicated page featuring event resources, including recordings and presentations, will soon be available on socialprotection.org.

💬 Your feedback and ideas for the podcast are always welcome. Share your suggestions on topics to cover, resources, or guest recommendations.