What happened?
India actively participated in the first G20 Employment Working Group (EWG) Meeting under South Africa’s presidency, held from 18 to 21 February 2025 in Port Elizabeth. Led by Sumita Dawra, Secretary (Labour & Employment), India highlighted its achievements in leveraging technology for labour welfare, presenting case studies on the eShram and National Career Service (NCS) portals as global best practices. Bilateral meetings with ILO, OECD, Germany, and the Netherlands explored collaborations on skill mapping, AI’s impact on jobs, and living wage frameworks.
Why it matters to India:
India’s participation underscores its leadership in promoting inclusive growth and digitalisation in labour markets. By showcasing platforms like eShram and NCS, India positions itself as a pioneer in using technology to bridge labour market gaps and extend social security to informal workers. Bilateral engagements further India’s efforts to integrate into global labour frameworks, enhance skill recognition, and prepare its workforce for future challenges, strengthening its global workforce contribution.