News Excerpt:
An Indian tripartite delegation composed of representatives from workers, employers and the Government is participating in the ongoing 112th session (Mon, 3 Jun, 2024 – Fri, 14 Jun, 2024) of International Labour Conference (ILC) of International Labor Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland.
India's Participation in ILC:
- India used the occasion to highlight labour reforms, social security provisions and other new initiatives of the Indian Government.
- The Indian delegation led by the Secretary (Labour & Employment) is actively involved in the International Labour Conference (ILC), discussing important topics like social justice, the care economy, biological hazards, fundamental principles and rights at work.
Issues discussed in ILC
- Global Skills Mapping and Studies:
- The ILO and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) are studying job skills and qualifications worldwide to create an international job classification system.
- Other focus areas include universal social security, green jobs, orderly migration of skilled workers, and new employment opportunities.
- India aims to strengthen its partnership with ILO to adapt to new technologies and digital advancements in the workplace.
- Importance of the care sector
- Care sector is highly labor-intensive in nature. Its potential to boost the gross domestic product (GDP) was also highlighted in the conference.
- During the session on ‘Decent work and the care economy’, India highlighted its young population (average age 29) and the growing need for care services for children and the elderly.
- The Indian government is taking steps to support the care sector, such as providing clean cooking fuel, maternity benefits, healthcare, and social security. The Indian Government started various schemes for this like Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Ayushman Bharat etc.
- Labour Reforms and Workers' Rights:
- India discussed social protection measures like free housing, food security, and cash transfers in the conference.
- Issues of labor reforms, aiming to eliminate workplace discrimination, forced labor, and child labor were also discussed. Government has taken various steps for this like Jan Dhan Yojana’, agricultural crop insurance scheme etc.
- Decent Work Country Program (DWCP):
- The ILO launched the fourth DWCP for 2023-27, setting priorities for decent work in India.
- Goals include promoting workers' rights, creating gender-inclusive job opportunities, and building a sustainable skills system.
- E-shram Portal:
- India showcased the success of the e-shram portal, a platform for informal workers to access social security programs.
- The portal links with the ‘National Career Service (NCS)’ to provide services like job matching and skill development.
- Asia and Pacific Group (ASPAG) Meeting:
- India committed to supporting ASPAG in representing the region's workforce at the ILO.
- Emphasis was on sharing ideas, best practices, and solutions to promote fair, sustainable, and inclusive growth.
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International Labor Organization (ILO):
The ILO has four strategic objectives:
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