India recently marked its active participation in the 353rd Governing Body meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), held in Geneva from March 10 to March 20, 2025. Represented by Ms. Sumita Dawra, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Indian delegation played a crucial role in addressing global labour and employment issues, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to labour welfare, quality employment, and social justice.
During the meeting, India extended its support for the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar. The summit aims to reinforce the social dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. India proudly showcased its achievements in social protection, highlighting how it has doubled its coverage to 48.8%, surpassing the global average by over 5%. Key initiatives such as the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), e-Shram Portal, PM Jan Arogya Yojana, and the Public Distribution System (PDS) were acknowledged for their significant contributions to this progress.
India also voiced its support for the ILO’s Fair Migration Agenda, emphasizing the need for global cooperation in promoting skills-based migration and securing the rights of migrant workers. Given India’s status as one of the largest sources of migrant workers and the top recipient of remittances, the nation advocated for enhanced global momentum in social protection through bilateral labour migration and social security agreements. India also welcomed the ILO’s proposal to convene the first Tripartite Global Forum on Migration under the Global Coalition for Social Justice.
In the realm of environmental sustainability, India reaffirmed its dedication to creating a world free from the harmful effects of chemicals and waste. Key legislation like the Factories Act of 1948 and the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code of 2020 were highlighted as vital steps toward safeguarding workers’ health and safety. India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 Action Plan, focused on enhancing workplace safety in hazardous units, was also brought to the forefront.
In a bilateral meeting with ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, Ms. Dawra congratulated him on the success of the Global Coalition for Social Justice and emphasized the need to consider in-kind benefits when assessing social protection coverage. India’s State-Specific Data Pooling exercise, conducted in collaboration with the ILO, aims to provide a more accurate evaluation of the country’s social protection framework.
Director-General Houngbo praised India’s leadership in the Global Coalition, particularly its initiative on “Responsible Business for Sustainable and Inclusive Societies” and the successful hosting of the Regional Dialogue on Social Justice in New Delhi. He also invited India to actively participate in the upcoming Annual Forum on Social Justice, where the nation will showcase best practices in responsible business conduct, living wages, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence in the future of work.
Furthermore, India made history by offering its first voluntary financial support to the ILO for a feasibility study on developing an international reference classification of occupations. This initiative, supported by the G20 under India’s presidency in 2023, aims to enhance global employment opportunities for Indian youth through skill benchmarking and mutual recognition of qualifications.
With a strong focus on future collaborations in areas such as living wage determination, welfare for gig and platform workers, and promoting decent work in value chains, India continues to establish itself as a global leader in advancing labour rights and social justice.
