The Impressive TimesGeneva, Switzerland, March 15, 2025: The 353rd Governing Body meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is underway in Geneva, bringing together representatives from governments, workers, and employers to discuss crucial matters related to global labour governance and employment policies.
The Indian delegation, led by Ms. Sumita Dawra, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, has made key interventions, highlighting India’s progress in labour welfare, social justice, and employment generation.
India has extended its support for the upcoming UN-led Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, later this year. The summit aims to reinforce the social dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Social Development. India highlighted its achievements in social protection, noting that coverage has doubled to 48.8%, surpassing the global average increase of 5%.
Key Indian initiatives acknowledged include:
As one of the largest sources of migrant workers and the top recipient of global remittances, India reiterated its support for global cooperation in skills-based migration. The delegation urged ILO to enhance efforts in securing social protection and rights for migrant workers through bilateral labour and social security agreements.
India also backed ILO’s proposal to convene the first Tripartite Global Forum on Migration under the Global Coalition for Social Justice, reaffirming its role as a leading partner in this initiative.
India reaffirmed its commitment to a safer, sustainable planet free of harmful chemicals and waste. The delegation acknowledged ILO’s efforts following the Bonn Declaration and emphasized India’s proactive measures, including:
Ms. Dawra met with ILO Director-General Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo and lauded his Global Coalition for Social Justice initiative. She urged ILO to consider in-kind benefits in assessing social protection coverage, as India has begun a State-Specific Data Pooling initiative with ILO for a more accurate assessment.
Mr. Houngbo praised India’s leadership in social justice reforms, highlighting India’s success in organizing the first-ever Regional Dialogue on Social Justice in New Delhi. He invited India to showcase best practices in responsible business conduct, living wages, and AI applications for a socially just future at the upcoming Annual Forum on Social Justice.
In a historic move, India voluntarily provided financial assistance to ILO for a feasibility study on the development of an international classification of occupations. This initiative, undertaken with OECD, aims to enhance global employment opportunities for Indian youth through benchmarking and skill recognition.
As a follow-up to commitments made under India’s G20 Presidency in 2023, the Indian delegation also discussed future collaborations on living wages, gig and platform workers’ welfare, and ensuring decent work in value chains.
India’s active participation at the ILO Governing Body meeting reaffirms its commitment to shaping global labour policies and ensuring fair and inclusive economic growth.
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