New Delhi: Sumita Dawra, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, led the Indian delegation at the first G20 Employment Working Group meeting under the South African presidency, held from 18-21 February 2025 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The delegation included Thelma John David, Consul General of India in Durban, and Piyush Kumar Pathak, Deputy Director from the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Discussions focused on two key issues: inclusive growth and youth employment, and social security and digitalisation for an inclusive future of work. G20 member countries shared their policy approaches to employment, social security, and skills development, while invited members such as the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, and Norway contributed to discussions on priority areas. The International Labour Organisation and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development presented global employment trends and best practices in labour market reforms.

During India’s intervention, the secretary highlighted key reforms aimed at job creation, labour market flexibility, and social security. India’s economic growth has been driven by strategic investments in agriculture, MSMEs, manufacturing, medical education, and infrastructure. The focus on global supply chains and export-led employment was highlighted, with efforts to enhance warehousing and air cargo facilities.

India’s positive employment trends were noted, with the unemployment rate declining from 6% in 2017-18 to 3.2% in 2023-24. There has also been a significant rise in the Labour Force Participation Rate and Worker Population Ratio. The modernisation of labour laws, particularly through the implementation of four Labour Codes, was emphasised as a step towards improving labour welfare, expanding social security, formalising employment, and increasing female workforce participation.

India’s progress in social security was recognised, with coverage doubling from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024, according to the ILO’s World Social Protection Report 2024-26. Ongoing collaboration with the ILO to include in-kind benefits and state-level schemes is expected to further expand coverage. The success of the e-Shram portal, which has registered over 300 million unorganised workers, was highlighted, along with the modernisation of ESIC and EPFO schemes. The Employment Linked Incentive Scheme was also mentioned as a key initiative to boost formal sector employment.

On gender inclusion, India reaffirmed its commitment to achieving 70% female workforce participation by 2047. Policies such as extended maternity leave, crèche facilities, and equal pay provisions have contributed to increasing women’s participation in high-growth sectors such as IT, R&D, and engineering.

India also highlighted its efforts in youth empowerment through skill development, noting that graduate employability has improved from 34% to 55% over the past decade. The country’s global engagement in skills mapping with the ILO and OECD, along with bilateral agreements for skilled labour mobility with major G20 nations, was discussed.

India reiterated its commitment to economic inclusion and youth empowerment, recognising them as key drivers of both national and global growth.

BI Bureau