Sochi, Russia: The second and final Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting under the Russian Presidency was held in Sochi, focusing on key labor and employment issues. Dr. Mahendra Kumar, Joint Secretary from India’s Ministry of Labour & Employment, led the Indian delegation in the discussions, which revolved around the draft Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting declaration. This declaration will be adopted during the Labour and Employment Ministers’ meeting, scheduled for September 9-10, 2024.
The EWG meeting aimed at finalizing the Ministerial Declaration, building on the outcomes of previous meetings. Key topics of discussion included life-long learning strategies, vocational guidance, the modernization of employment services, ensuring safe and healthy working conditions, and implementing social support mechanisms.
Alongside representatives from BRICS member states—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—new member states, including the UAE, Egypt, and Iran, as well as international organizations like the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Social Security Association (ISSA), contributed insights on these priority issues. The Indian delegation emphasized the critical need for re-skilling and up-skilling the workforce to address the evolving demands of the global labor market.