The second and concluding Employment Working Group (EWG) Meeting under the Russian Presidency took place in Sochi, Russia. Dr. Mahendra Kumar, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, led the Indian delegation in discussions on the draft declaration to be adopted at the upcoming Labour and Employment Ministers’ meeting scheduled for September 9-10, 2024.
The EWG meeting focused on finalizing the Ministerial Declaration. Delegates reviewed and built upon the outcomes from prior meetings, with key discussions centered on life-long learning strategies, vocational guidance, modernizing employment services, ensuring safe and healthy work environments, and enhancing social support mechanisms.
In addition to representatives from BRICS member states—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—the meeting included input from new member states such as the UAE, Egypt, and Iran, as well as representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Social Security Association (ISSA). The Indian delegation highlighted the importance of re-skilling and up-skilling the workforce to adapt to the evolving demands of the global job market.
