India participated in the Coordination Group Meeting of the Global Coalition for Social Justice on June 11 in Geneva, reaffirming its engagement with the International Labour Organization (ILO)-led initiative focused on labour rights, social protection, and inclusive growth. According to an official statement, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje, who is leading the Indian delegation to the ILC, attended the meeting and held discussions with ILO Director-General Gilbert F Houngbo and labour representatives from Bangladesh, Brazil, Switzerland, Moldova, and Belgium. The coalition was launched by the ILO in 2023 as a multi-stakeholder platform aimed at strengthening cooperation among governments, employers, workers' organisations, and other stakeholders on social justice issues.
India discussed expanding legal migration pathways for skilled workers and forging mutual recognition of qualifications with several advanced economies during the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva. According to the Labour and Employment Ministry, talks with developed economies focused on labour mobility, recognition of skills and qualifications, social protection and employment generation. The engagements come amid growing demand for skilled workers in several advanced economies facing labour shortages and demographic challenges.
India held discussions with France, the United Kingdom, South Korea, the United States and Canada on expanding legal migration pathways and mutual recognition of qualifications. As reported by the ministry, countries including Angola, Mauritius and Nepal explored cooperation with India on skills development, employment services and labour administration. India shared its experience with digital labour platforms and workforce registration systems, signalling growing interest in leveraging Indian labour-market infrastructure.
In bilateral meetings, Nepal's Minister for Youth and Employment Ramjee Yadav discussed cooperation with India's Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje on skill development, labour mobility and digital technology in labour administration. According to the ministry, Nepal expressed interest in India's digital labour platforms, while both sides explored strengthening collaboration on workforce development and employment-related services. Mauritius Labour and Industrial Relations Minister Muhammad Reza Cassam Uteem discussed cooperation including the use of digital public infrastructure, with Mauritius expressing interest in India's digital platforms for labour and employment services. India offered technical support and expertise for developing similar systems in Mauritius.
The discussions occurred during the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, which convenes tripartite delegations representing governments, employers and workers from the International Labour Organization's 187 member countries. The conference negotiates labour standards and debates issues ranging from employment and social protection to migration, platform work and the impact of new technologies on labour markets. India has been highlighting a range of labour and social-security initiatives at this year's conference, including efforts to expand social-protection coverage, formalise employment, and improve access to welfare benefits through digital platforms. The Global Coalition for Social Justice has emerged as one of the ILO's key initiatives amid growing concerns over inequality, informal employment, gaps in social protection, and the impact of technological and demographic changes on labour markets.
