India endorses initiatives for labour welfare and quality jobs at ILO conference in Geneva
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Synopsis
India has strongly supported the global enhancement of labour welfare, quality jobs, and social justice during the ongoing ILO meeting in Geneva. Led by Sumita Dawra, the Indian delegation highlighted key areas of collaboration and showcased the nation’s progress in social protection and worker welfare.
Key Takeaways
- India advocates for global labour welfare.
- Collaboration with ILO on social protection.
- Support for migrant workers' rights.
- Focus on living wages and responsible business conduct.
- Promotion of AI for future work scenarios.
Geneva, March 15 (NationPress) India has vocally supported the advancement of labour welfare, quality employment, and social justice on a global scale during a meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) occurring from March 10 to March 20.
The Indian delegation, under the leadership of Sumita Dawra, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, made significant contributions on essential topics, highlighting India's accomplishments, insights, and viewpoints to promote the collective goal of enhancing labour welfare, social justice, and quality employment generation worldwide.
Key areas of collaboration between India and the ILO included social protection, responsible business conduct, living wages, AI and the future of work, and fair global migration.
The ILO’s 353rd Governing Body meeting has convened representatives from governments, workers, and employers to deliberate on critical issues affecting the world of work and the governance of the ILO.
India has expressed its support for the ILO regarding the organization of the UN-led Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, later this year, which aims to strengthen the social dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Social Development.
India’s remarkable strides in fostering social justice and development were emphasized, with the nation doubling its social protection coverage to 48.8 percent, surpassing the average global social protection coverage by over 5 percent.
The contributions of India’s prominent institutions and initiatives, such as EPFO (7.37 crore contributing members), ESIC (14.4 crore beneficiaries), e-Shram Portal (30.6 crore registered unorganised members), PM Jan Arogya Yojana (60 crore beneficiaries), and Targeted PDS (providing food security to 81.35 crore beneficiaries), were recognized in this context.
As a major nation of origin for migrant workers and the world’s top recipient of remittances, India reiterated its backing for enhanced global cooperation to foster well-managed, skills-based migration pathways.
The ILO was encouraged to intensify its efforts to generate global momentum for securing social protection and rights for migrant workers through bilateral labour migration and social security agreements. India expressed its support for the ILO’s initiative to convene the first Tripartite Global Forum on Migration under the ILO-based Global Coalition for Social Justice, in which India is a principal partner.
India also reaffirmed its dedication to taking a leading role in ensuring a planet free from harm due to chemicals and waste, protecting workers, communities, and the environment. The actions being undertaken by the ILO following the Bonn Declaration were acknowledged.
The Indian delegation also underscored key initiatives aimed at safeguarding the health and safety of workers and communities, including the Factories Act and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, as well as capacity-building measures under the Viksit Bharat 2047 Action Plan to ensure workplace safety in Major Accident Hazardous (MAH) units.
Furthermore, the Indian team engaged in numerous bilateral discussions with the Director General and senior experts of the ILO, along with representatives from other countries on labour and employment issues of high interest to India.
Sumita Dawra met with Gilbert F. Houngbo, the DG-ILO, congratulating him on his flagship initiative, the Global Coalition for Social Justice, which has become a strong platform for global collaboration in promoting social justice. She also reiterated the necessity for the ILO to consider in-kind benefits when evaluating social protection coverage.
This is particularly important as India has launched a State Specific Data Pooling exercise in partnership with the ILO to achieve a more precise assessment of India’s social protection coverage.
The DG-ILO acknowledged India for its leadership role in the Global Coalition by advocating for the key Coalition intervention, “Responsible business for sustainable and inclusive societies,” and successfully hosting the first ever “Regional Dialogue on Social Justice” in New Delhi last month.
“This has motivated other countries to increase their contributions to the coalition’s agenda,” he noted.
Houngbo invited India to actively participate in the upcoming Annual Forum on Social Justice and showcase best practices of Indian industry concerning Responsible Business Conduct, payment of Living Wages, and utilizing AI for a socially just Future of Work.
The DG also expressed gratitude for India’s inaugural voluntary financial support to the ILO for conducting a feasibility study on developing an international reference classification of occupations by the ILO and OECD. This India-led initiative aims to enhance global employment opportunities for Indian youth through benchmarking and mutual recognition of skills and qualifications. The development of the international classification marks a historic commitment made by the G20 leaders during India’s G20 presidency in 2023.
India also discussed future collaborations with the ILO on shared priorities, including the determination and operationalization of living wages, the welfare of gig and platform workers, and ensuring decent work within value chains.
