2nd Employment Working Group Meeting of G20 in Brasilia

The 2nd Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting under the Brazilian Presidency of the G20 commenced on 27th March 2024 in Brasilia, Brazil. As a member of the G20 Troika, India, represented by Ms. Sumita Dawra, Secretary, Labour & Employment, co-chaired the meeting along with Brazil and South Africa.

Mandate and Priorities of the G20 EWG

The G20 EWG has the mandate to address labor, employment, and social issues to promote strong, sustainable, balanced, and job-rich growth for all. The priority areas for the 2nd EWG meeting in Brasilia align with the outcomes of previous G20 presidencies, including India's, ensuring continuity in the multi-year agenda to create lasting positive change in the world of work.

Focus Areas of the 2nd EWG Meeting

The focus areas for the 2nd EWG meeting in Brasilia were:

• Creating quality employment and promoting decent labor
• Addressing a just transition amidst digital and energy transformations
• Leveraging technologies to enhance the quality of life for all
• Emphasis on gender equity and promoting diversity in employment for inclusivity, driving innovation, and growth

India's Emphasis on Inclusivity and Diversity

In her opening remarks, Ms. Sumita Dawra commended the continuity in the multi-year agenda of the EWG and emphasized the need for creating inclusive environments by ensuring equal representation and empowerment for all, irrespective of race, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic background.

The Indian delegation highlighted significant strides taken by India in promoting gender equality in the workplace and beyond, steps taken for migrant workers, promoting re-employment of senior citizens, and increasing the participation of differently-abled and marginalized groups in the workforce.

Initiatives Showcased by India

At the 2nd EWG meeting, the Indian delegation showcased the following initiatives and achievements:

1.  Increasing Female Labor Force Participation:

• • India enacted the Occupational Safety Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, which allows women to be employed in all establishments for all types of work, including at night, with their consent.
  • In 2017, the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 was amended to increase maternity leave with pay protection from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for all women working in establishments employing 10 or more workers.

2.  Aiding Migrant Workers:

• • The 'One Nation, One Ration Card' policy allows migrants to access their entitled food grains from anywhere in the Public Distribution System network across the country.
  • Multiple schemes have been implemented to provide social security, welfare benefits, affordable housing, skill development, and old-age pension to migrant workers, ensuring portability across states.

3.  e-Shram Portal for Unorganized Workers:

• • The e-Shram portal was launched to create a national database of unorganized workers, especially migrant and construction workers.
  • The e-Shram card enables access to benefits under various social security schemes.
  • More than 290 million unorganized workers have been registered on this portal across 400 occupations in 30 broad occupation sectors.

4.  Promoting Participation of Aged Persons and Differently-Abled:

• • India has taken steps to promote the participation of aged persons in the labor market.
  • Initiatives have been undertaken for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, including vocational training, skill development, and job placement services.

5.  Inclusion of Marginalized and Vulnerable Groups:

• • India has implemented measures to increase the participation of traditionally marginalized and vulnerable groups in the workforce.

Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

The G20 EWG meetings provide a platform for member countries to collaborate, share knowledge, and learn from each other's experiences and best practices. India's participation and co-chairmanship of the 2nd EWG meeting in Brasilia demonstrate its commitment to promoting inclusive and sustainable employment practices on a global scale.

Way forward

By showcasing its initiatives and achievements in promoting gender equality, aiding migrant workers, creating a database for unorganized workers, and fostering the inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable groups in the workforce, India has demonstrated its dedication to creating a more inclusive and equitable labor market. The 2nd EWG meeting in Brasilia serves as a crucial step in the ongoing efforts of the G20 to address labor, employment, and social issues, and India's active participation underscores its role as a responsible and proactive member of the global community.