BRICS Joint Statement made by Shri Shankar Aggarwal, Secretary Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India at the 326th Session of the ILO Governing Body in Geneva (March 14-24, 2016)

Institutional Section (INS5)

Decent Work and Inclusive Sustainable Growth: Challenges for global policy

Mr. Chairperson,

I have the honor to address on this agenda item Decent Work and Inclusive Sustainable Growth, on behalf of the BRICS nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

2. We, the BRICS nations, collectively recognize that decent work is an essential prerequisite to sustainable growth. There is an inherent close association between the two and both are complimentary to each other in pursing the development agenda. BRICS is uniquely positioned with 42% of world population and contributes 21.6% of World GDP. We have a huge concentration of labour in the global map and hence issues related to labour and employment are of prime importance for our development strategy.

3. In the recently concluded first ever meeting of the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers held in Ufa, Russian Federation, in January this year, together we have committed ourselves to expand coordination at global level on promotion of quality and inclusive employment, decent work, and strengthening intra-BRICS dialogue and the exchange of experiences and information on labour and employment issues. These goals could be achieved, inter alia, through the implementation of the BRICS Ministerial Declaration adopted in Ufa, which provides for the creation of the BRICS Employment Working Group, as well as within the framework of other initiatives and forums, in close cooperation with the ILO. We thank the Director General of ILO for participating in the BRICS Labour Ministers’ meeting in Ufa and appreciate the contribution of ILO in enriching the BRICS discussions on labour issues.

Mr. Chairperson,

4. We recall the Goal no. 8 of 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development and reiterate our commitment towards promotion of sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. It requires a lot of efforts and coordination at global level for evolving an appropriate policy strategy to achieve a common goal of sustainable and inclusive growth. Together, we, the BRICS nations, believe that ILO must take the leadership role in these interactions to ensure that decent work is integral to the policies for sustainable inclusive growth and faster recovery process.

5. We, the BRICS countries, are happy to acknowledge that 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda has allowed countries to develop indicators in accordance with national context. ILO being the main repository of international database on labour and employment indices may assist member countries to construct suitable indicators as per respective national practices.

6. BRICS acknowledge the downward economic prospects of the global economy including reduced growth in developing countries, slow recovery in advanced economies coupled with increased volatility and uncertainty in labour market perspectives.  We further take note of the ILO World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2016 showing continued rise in unemployment and further weakening up of labour markets. The scenario multiplies the challenges for ensuring decent work in the world of work. It is therefore essential that policy makers across globe reassess the situation in their respective national context and accordingly suggest measures for improvising labour market perspective with respect to decent work.

7. In the changing global scenario, where the nature and scope of the world of work are undergoing continuous changes, we, the BRICS countries, are convinced that it is crucial to extend and intensify the ILO efforts in the area of decent work in order to recapitulate its expertise in labour related issues in other international forums. Further ILO should assist member countries in their respective national context for encompassing the elements of decent work while formulating the growth strategy including policies on labour and employment.

I thank you Mr. Chairperson!