Speech of Hon’ble Minister of Labour & Employment (IC) forASPAG Ministerial Meeting, 10th June, 2015,
DG, ILO; Regional Director, ILO and fellow ASPAG members,
It gives me immense pleasure to be here in thisASPAGAsian Minister’s Meeting. I also compliment DG, ILO for the consistent and quality leadership. The world is now witnessing a major shift in policies inspired by a vision of sustainable development and inclusive growth in economies, enterprises, workplaces and ultimately in society. It is very timely to discuss future of work and I am sure that ILO’s initiative would definitely contribute in achieving the objectives of decent work and thus lead to an inclusive and sustainable growth.
ASPAG constitutes more than half of world’s population. We have some highly developed countries on one hand and some fastest growing developing economies on the other.With its diversity as an asset, the region has enjoyed remarkable economic growth and experiencing rapid changes in economic development, population growth and urbanisation, social transformation, and technological development. Countries in ASPAG group may have different set of challenges but the same time we are sharing common economic drivers. The growth in real wage rates by India and China is remarkable.
Generation of productive and gainful employment with decent working conditions is viewed as a crucial strategy for “inclusive growth”.India has adopted some innovative policy decisions and these experiences provide replicable model for more stable and sustainable growth. Providing better employment opportunities and social security to people are the major agendas of Govt. of India. We are focusing on massive skill development and growth of manufacturing sector through programmes such as Make in India, Skill India, Smart City Project and Digital India.
Government of India stands committed to provide social security benefits to the vast workforce in the unorganized sector. A number of schemes and programmes such as Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008, RashtriyaSwasthyaBimaYojana (RSBY), Minimum Wages Act, 1948, Unique Identification Cards to unorganised workers etc. are in operation to achieve this objective. MOLE is under process to bring measures for bringing unorganized workers in line with organized workers. A new initiative is being examined regarding identification and registration of unorganized workers.
World has long recognised the importance of climate change issues, which are going to be targeted in the coming multilateral conferences. The climate change issues are very challenging and cross cutting. The partnership for transition to green economy may be implemented on the basis of Common but differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR). We all are looking forward to these important conferences and the pivotal role by ILO in elaboration of post 2015 agenda.
The ultimate goal of inclusive and equitable growth can be achieved by linking employment and social protection.We appreciate the DG report for giving focus on the youth employment as well as on the small& medium enterprises interventions. It is equally important to make the employment opportunities accessible to all. As a result of fast growth and development, ASPAG countries are experiencing social migration. Lots of human activities and mobilisation is taking place and hence, universalization of social protection has become essential. We feel thatduring this transitional phase, resource allocation and research of ILO should be focused in these key areas.
The ILO has over the years provided valuable leadership for implementation of labour standards, strengthening of workers’ rights and finding acceptable solutions to labour market issues. However, the Decent Work Agenda of ILO has withstood the test of time to emerge as a universal and successful mandate for protection of interests of workers. I congratulate DG, ILO for a focused vision and for adopting a long term approach through ‘future of Work’. We believe that a coordinated effortwill make a strong contribution in providing a conducive environment for the world of work and thus, lead to strong, Sustainable and Balanced Growth for the Global economy. India will be happy to cooperate, collaborate and assume leadership role whatever decided by this august body.
Thank You.
