Social safety nets are institutional frameworks established to safeguard economically vulnerable populations. These encompass unemployment benefits, pension programs, and social insurance. Their objective is to mitigate poverty and inequality by providing essential financial security for those facing economic hardship, particularly amidst globalization and market-oriented policies.
Conversely, welfare initiatives are more extensive and may incorporate social services. However, "social safety nets" specifically denotes systems that offer direct financial aid or support to at-risk groups.
Therefore, the appropriate designation is (B) Social safety nets.