ILO Collaboration for Indian Workers

In a significant step towards enhancing global labor standards and employment opportunities for Indian workers, India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Labour Organisation (ILO). This historic agreement, formalized in Geneva on September 16, 2025, aims to support the creation of the International Reference Classification of Occupations (IRCO).

Ambassador Arindam Bagchi of the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations and ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo signed the MoU, while Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, joined the event virtually.

This development has far-reaching implications for Indian workers and the country’s role in international labor mobility, marking a major milestone in ILO collaboration.

Why the ILO Collaboration Matters

The ILO collaboration with the India initiative marks a strategic step in improving skill mobility and job classification recognition worldwide. As global economies become increasingly interconnected, the need for standardized occupational classifications has become critical.

According to Dr. Mandaviya, this MoU reflects a shared commitment to shaping the future of work, helping Indian workers achieve better recognition for their skills in international markets. By facilitating mutual recognition of skills, the IRCO will allow Indian professionals to integrate seamlessly into global labor systems.

Moreover, the MoU highlights India’s role in the ILO skill recognition framework, positioning the country as a key player in international employment standards. This makes ILO collaboration crucial for Indian workforce development.

Boosting Domestic Reforms and Employment

Dr. Mandaviya emphasized that the India-ILO collaboration for workers aligns perfectly with domestic employment initiatives, such as the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, which aims to create over 3.5 crore formal jobs within the next two years.

India’s flagship platforms, including the National Career Service (NCS) Portal and the e-Shram Portal, are pivotal in digitizing labor data and job opportunities. These digital platforms, considered public goods, are central to promoting skill mobility and improving the efficiency of job classification at the national level.

The minister also proposed special sessions between India and the ILO to share technological insights and best practices with other member states, demonstrating how ILO collaboration on green and digital jobs can support emerging sectors like the green economy, digital technologies, and care work.

ILO Collaboration: Support and Global Implications

ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo welcomed India’s active participation, noting that this ILO collaboration could serve as a model for other countries seeking to improve international labor mobility and global skills recognition.

Secretary of Labour & Employment, Ms. Vandana Gurnani, further explained that the MoU opens doors for feasibility studies and pilot projects, potentially evolving into formal frameworks for international cooperation. This highlights the benefits of ILO collaboration for the Indian workforce, including enhanced employment opportunities abroad.

The initiative also strengthens India’s role in global job standards, promoting social protection and labor mobility through technology and policy innovation.

Key Highlights of the ILO Collaboration

• Focus: Develop the International Reference Classification of Occupations (IRCO).

• Objective: Improve global comparability of skills and streamline cross-border job matching.

• Domestic Impact: Supports initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana.

• Digital Platforms: The NCS Portal and e-Shram Portal enhance skill mobility and job classification data.

• Global Significance: Encourages international labor mobility and ILO occupational standards recognition.

• Emerging Sectors: Focus on green economy, digital jobs, and care work.

Final Thoughts

India has signed a landmark MoU with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to support the development of the International Reference Classification of Occupations (IRCO). This ILO collaboration aims to improve global comparability of skills and make it easier for Indian workers to access international employment opportunities. The agreement, signed in Geneva on September 16, 2025, places India at the forefront of international labor mobility and skill recognition.

The partnership highlights India’s commitment to shaping the future of work, aligning with domestic initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana and digital platforms such as the National Career Service (NCS) Portal and e-Shram Portal. These platforms enhance skill mobility and job classification efficiency while also serving as models for other countries.

Through this ILO collaboration, India aims to explore emerging sectors, including the green economy, digital technologies, and care work, helping workers gain recognition and opportunities abroad.