core sector communique

Mallikarjun Kharge Union Minister for Labour & Employment addresses 100th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva on ‘A New Era of Social Justice’ highlighting the adverse consequences of globalisation on decent work opportunities for workers 

“Ensuring social sustainability of growth is a universal challenge today. Rapid growth and urbanization have contributed to increased inequalities and imbalances. Improving public services delivery particularly education and health, better targeting of subsidies, ensuring employment opportunities and economic support for women and marginalized sections of society are all needed to ensure social sustainability of growth”. This was emphasized by Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Union Minister for Labour & Employment during his address to the 100th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva today. His address was in the context of ILO Director Generals Report on ‘A New Era of Social Justice’ which highlighted the adverse consequences of globalisation on decent work opportunities for workers all over the world.

Shri Kharge indicated that the world was witnessing a major shift in policies to achieve sustainable development and economic growth. He outlined India’s major policies and programmes for implementing the commitment towards overall social and economic progress to empower the weaker sections of society. He mentioned that India is working towards implementing the commitment towards social progress, economic growth and increased engagement with nations around the world in a most effective and determined manner. Indian is pursuing a strategy of seeking inclusive growth at home and inclusive globalization internationally. He emphasised that India is moving from a scheme-based approach to rights-based approach for ensuring social security entitlements. India had guaranteed to its citizens the Right to Employment and the Right to Education and was in the process of introducing the Right to Food. Shri Kharge spoke about challenges posed by the financial crisis and how India had been able to tide over the same with reasonable success through its flagship programmes like Mahatma Gandhi NREGA and RSBY for unorganised sector workforce. India had introduced a new Skills Initiative with the target of creating 500 million skilled workers by 2022. Social security funds have been set up under the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act 2008 for informal sector workers.

Speaking on Social Protection Floor Shri Kharge stated that India supported the concept. However, there should not be a uniform Social Security Floor. Each country should decide the level of its Social Protection Floor which should be closely linked to the country’s financial resources, employment strategy and other social policies. Also there should not be any specific timelines. He emphasised on India’s positive approach to Labour Standards which had provided the guiding framework for Labour Laws being administered in the country.