The G20 Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting, chaired under the Brazilian presidency in Brasilia, highlighted commitments made during India’s G20 presidency, focusing on global skill harmonization and gender equality in the workforce.
The meeting commenced with discussions on the implementation of commitments made by India in 2023 to develop an international reference classification of occupations and skills. Indian delegates emphasized the importance of incorporating basic and extended indicators in national surveys to map global skills gaps, benefiting nations across economic spectra.
Sumita Dawra, Secretary of Labour and Employment, underscored the initiation of a feasibility study by ILO and OECD, aiming for international reference classification. This study, spanning two years, will assess skill requirements in select sectors like IT, care, and green sectors.
Joint Secretary Rupesh Thakur highlighted the anticipated benefits of the global framework, including enhanced employment opportunities, especially for emerging economies like India and Brazil.
Discussions also addressed gender equality in the workforce, emphasizing India’s proactive measures such as the Time Use Survey, the Palna Scheme for daycare, and the Code on Social Security 2020. Efforts to reduce the gender pay gap were acknowledged, including legislative reforms and schemes promoting women’s entrepreneurship and skill development.
The meeting concluded with a focus on India’s multifaceted approach to enhancing female participation in the workforce, including legislative reforms and schemes for women in STEM fields. The Government’s move to reserve one-third of seats for women in legislative bodies was applauded.
India’s initiatives towards gender equality and skill development were lauded at the G20 EWG meeting, affirming its commitment to inclusive growth and economic empowerment.
