BRICS adopts India-led labour declaration, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• A progressive declaration was adopted at the 12th BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting held in Hyderabad, India, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
• India-led initiative, BRICS CONNECT, was launched to establish a collaborative platform for knowledge sharing and cooperation among member countries.
• Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the meeting, which focused on building inclusive, resilient, and future-ready labour markets.

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Detailed Insights:

• The meeting was convened under India's BRICS Chairship 2026, guided by the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."
• The adopted declaration commits BRICS nations to expand social security coverage, formalize labour markets, and increase women's workforce participation.
• It also emphasizes strengthening skills development and improving the use of digital technologies in labour administration, including for gig and platform workers.
• BRICS CONNECT aims to facilitate technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, and capacity building in areas like labour market intelligence, skills forecasting, and digital employment services.
• India showcased its digital platforms such as e-Shram and the National Career Service portal as examples of digital public infrastructure for social protection and employment services.
• The initiative reinforces South-South cooperation by sharing best practices and technical expertise among member countries.

Key Concepts Involved:

• BRICS: An acronym for an intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, aiming to promote cooperation and development.
• BRICS CONNECT: An India-proposed initiative establishing a platform for technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, and capacity building in labour and employment among BRICS nations.
• Social Security: Government programs providing protection against economic and social distress, including old age, unemployment, and illness.
• Gig and Platform Workers: Individuals engaged in short-term contracts or freelance work, often facilitated by digital platforms.