India highlighted its labour market reforms, expansion of social protection coverage and growing digital public infrastructure in the employment sector during the 114th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva.
Leading the Indian delegation, Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Shobha Karandlaje addressed the plenary session of the conference and outlined measures undertaken by the government to modernise labour administration and improve worker welfare.
According to an official statement, Karandlaje said India had consolidated 29 Central labour laws into four Labour Codes with the objective of simplifying compliance, strengthening social security and creating a more transparent labour ecosystem.
She also cited improvements in employment indicators, stating that youth employability had risen from 34% in 2014 to more than 56% in 2025. The unemployment rate declined from 6% in 2017 to 3.1% in 2025, while women’s labour force participation increased from 22% to 38.8% during the period, she said.
The Minister highlighted the government’s efforts to build digital public infrastructure for the labour market through platforms such as the National Career Service Portal and the e-Shram Portal. She also underscored the need for international cooperation in skills development and occupational classification, noting that India is undertaking a feasibility study with the International Labour Organization (ILO) on developing an international reference classification of occupations.
A key focus of India’s presentation was the expansion of social protection coverage. Citing preliminary ILO estimates, Karandlaje said social protection coverage in India had reached about 68.4% of the population, corresponding to nearly 1.001 billion beneficiaries.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Minister held bilateral meetings with labour ministers and senior officials from several countries, including Rwanda and Sri Lanka, to discuss cooperation in employment services, workforce planning, skilling and digital governance.
During discussions with Rwanda’s Minister of Public Service and Labour, Christine Nkulikiyinka, India offered technical assistance and capacity-building support for developing digital platforms related to worker registration, employment services and skill matching. Rwanda expressed interest in India’s experience with digital public infrastructure and workforce formalisation, the statement said.
In a separate meeting with Sri Lankan Labour Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando, discussions centred on India’s experience in implementing the four Labour Codes. The Indian delegation shared details of the reform process, including stakeholder consultations and implementation mechanisms.
Karandlaje also met ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo and reiterated India’s commitment to working with the organisation on issues related to decent work, social justice, labour mobility and future-ready workforce development.
At a side event on India’s new Labour Codes, the Minister said the reforms seek to strengthen minimum wage protection, extend social security benefits to unorganised, gig and platform workers, improve occupational safety standards and promote gender equality in the workplace.
She also highlighted India’s efforts to link skilling initiatives with international labour mobility through coordinated policies aimed at creating safe and transparent migration pathways for workers.
