India Participates in 353rd Governing Body Meeting of International Labour Organisation in Geneva

The 353rd session of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from March 10 to March 20, 2025. The meeting gathers the three key groups of the ILO, which include representatives from governments, workers, and employers, to address important issues concerning the labor market and ILO governance.

The Indian delegation, headed by Ms. Sumita Dawra, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, made numerous contributions on essential topics, highlighting India’s accomplishments, insights, and viewpoints to further the common goal of enhancing labour welfare, social justice, and quality job creation worldwide.

India has offered its backing to the ILO for the organization of the UN-led Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, later this year, as it seeks to strengthen the social aspect of the 2030 Agenda for Social Development. India’s remarkable advancement in fostering social justice and development was underscored, as the nation has increased its social protection coverage to 48.8 percent, boosting the global average by more than 5 percent.

ILO was encouraged to strengthen initiatives aimed at creating global support for ensuring social protection and rights for migrant workers via bilateral labor migration and social security accords. India, as a key partner of the Global Coalition, supported the ILO’s initiative to hold the inaugural Tripartite Global Forum on Migration under the Global Coalition for Social Justice.

India reaffirms its dedication to a chemical-free world, recognizing the ILO’s Bonn Declaration, and emphasizing initiatives for workplace safety and bilateral talks. India discussed future collaborations in pipeline with ILO on shared priorities including determination and operationalization of living wages, gig and platform workers’ welfare and decent work in value chains. The Indian delegation included Shri Rakesh Gaur, Deputy Director, Ministry of Labour & Employment.