Context:

• The 113th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) was held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Key Highlights:

• The conference is the highest policy-making body of the International Labour Organization (ILO), where representatives from member countries across the world deliberate on global issues related to labour, employment, and social security.
• Participating Members: Government, employer, and worker representatives from all 187 member countries took part.

India’s Participation:

Representation:

• India was represented by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour and Employment. He led the Indian delegation to the conference.

Major Achievement:

• During the conference, India’s historic expansion in social security coverage was highlighted. In 2015, coverage stood at 19%, which increased to 64.3% in 2025—an extraordinary 45 percentage point growth in a decade.

Policy-Making and Dialogue:

• Dr. Mandaviya, in a bilateral discussion with ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, mentioned India’s pro-poor and worker welfare policies, including the e-Shram portal, Social Security Code, and the National Social Protection Data Pooling Campaign.

Major Themes of the Conference:

Challenges of the Global Labour Market:

• Discussions focused on emerging forms of employment, the gig economy, digitalization, protection of workers' rights, and strengthening of social security systems.

Social Security Coverage:

• India’s social security expansion received global appreciation. As per ILOSTAT data, nearly 940 million people in India are now covered under social security.

Worker Welfare:

• Emphasis was placed on pro-poor schemes, protection for informal sector workers, and employment generation for women and youth.

India’s Achievements and Contributions:

Historic Expansion in Social Security:

• India has achieved remarkable growth in social security coverage for workers, setting a global benchmark.

Digital Initiatives:

• Initiatives like the e-Shram portal, Social Security Code, and data pooling have made welfare schemes more accessible to workers.

International Cooperation:

• India reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with ILO in the areas of worker welfare, social security, and data management.

About the International Labour Conference (ILC):

• Full Name: International Labour Conference (ILC)
• Organizing Body: International Labour Organization (ILO)
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Established: In 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles

Objectives:

• To set international labour standards
• To protect the rights of workers
• To promote social justice
• To promote Decent Work for all

Features of the Conference:

• ILC is also called the “International Parliament of Labour”
• Held annually in Geneva
• Attended by all 187 member states
• Each country sends 4 delegates – 2 from the government, 1 employer representative, and 1 worker representative