G20 Labor Ministers Emphasize Formal Jobs, Platform Workers' Rights, and Fair Wages

Labour and employment ministerial in Brazil stresses on formal jobs, platform workers and adequate floor level wages

The declaration, firmed up after a two-day ministerial meet in Brazil, stresses the need to create and promote decent work and deliver effective labour market policies, such as skills development, access to training and lifelong learning and job matching.The labour and employment track of the G20 countries urged governments to have policy measures to formalize jobs, to appropriately respond to platform work, to promote adequate levels of wage floors, to provide access to adequate social protection and the promotion of social dialogue and collective bargaining. The labour and employment ministerial declaration, finalised after a two-day meeting in Brazil, emphasized the need for governments to develop and support active inclusion policies aimed at fostering strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive economic growth. "The declaration also stresses the need to create and promote decent work and deliver effective labour market policies, such as skills development, access to training and lifelong learning and job matching, aligned with the skills needs and demands of the economy and in consultation with social partners," the labour and employment ministry said in a statement issued on Saturday. Minister of state for labour and employment Shobha Karandlaje represented India at the two-day meet which concluded on Friday. During the two-day meet, ministers made interventions on key focus areas of the labour and employment track, including just transition; the creation of quality jobs and the promotion of decent work to ensure social inclusion and eliminate poverty and hunger; gender equality and the promotion of diversity in the world of work; and the use of technologies as a means of improving everyone´s quality of life. "Just transitions encompass various dimensions, including protecting workers and communities affected by the phasing out of carbon-intensive industries. It requires a robust framework of social protection, retraining programs, and investments in sustainable industries. However, the shift to greener alternatives can lead to significant job losses and economic instability if not managed carefully," said, emphasising on the need for skilling and reskilling to ensure just and fair transition to greener alternatives. The minister, however, urged the G20 countries to address the ethical considerations that come with technology, including issues related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and the ethical use of AI, through robust regulatory frameworks and international cooperation.

G20 Labour and Employment Ministers' meeting finalises declaration on labour and employment track

Brazil, alongside India and South Africa, was part of the G20 troika, encompassing the previous and next hosts. The Labour & Employment Ministers' meeting was preceded by the 5th Employment Working Group meeting (EWG) on July 23-24, which finalised the text. During the two-day meeting, ministers discussed key focus areas such as Just Transition, creating quality jobs, promoting decent work to ensure social inclusion and eliminate poverty and hunger, gender equality, diversity in the workplace, and leveraging technology to enhance the quality of life. The declaration emphasises the need for governments to develop active inclusion policies for strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive economic growth. It recognises that creating formal jobs and promoting decent work are effective tools for achieving fair income distribution. The declaration stresses the importance of effective labour market policies, such as skills development, training, lifelong learning, and job matching, aligned with economic needs and in consultation with social partners. It also urges governments to formalise jobs, address platform work, promote adequate wage floors, provide social protection, and support social dialogue and collective bargaining. In her opening remarks on 'Just Transitions,' Karandlaje highlighted the need for skilling and reskilling to ensure a fair transition to greener alternatives. She stated that just transitions require a robust framework of social protection, retraining programmes, and investments in sustainable industries, cautioning that poorly managed shifts could lead to job losses and economic instability. The Union Minister noted India's creation of national missions in areas such as solar energy, energy efficiency, water, sustainable agriculture, health, the Himalayan ecosystem, sustainable habitat, green India, and strategic knowledge for climate change. She also mentioned the Sector Skill Council for Green Jobs (SSCGJ) as crucial for developing a skilled workforce in related sectors. During the session on quality jobs and decent work, Karandlaje reported that India generated over 80 million jobs from 2017-18 to 2021-22, with the youth unemployment rate dropping from 17.8 per cent in 2017-18 to 10 per cent in 2022-23 due to increased youth labour force participation. She highlighted the 'One Nation, One Ration Card' initiative and the Ayushman Bharat Scheme as examples of India's commitment to social welfare. On gender equality and diversity, the Union Minister detailed India's legislative measures, including the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, the Equal Remuneration Act, and extended maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks. In the session on technology for improving quality of life, Karandlaje discussed India's Digital India Mission, the e-Shram portal for informal workers, and Aadhaar's role in financial inclusion. She urged G20 countries to address ethical considerations related to technology, such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and AI ethics. On the sidelines, Karandlaje met Gilbert Houngbo, Director General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), and Japanese State Minister for Health, Labour, and Welfare Miyazaki Masahisa to discuss enhancing the mobility of semi-skilled and skilled workers from India to Japan. (ANI)