Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya recently attended a virtual signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of India and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva. This agreement aims to create an International Reference Classification of Occupations (IRCO), which will help Indian youth find jobs globally by making their skills more recognizable in international markets.
Many countries face significant skill shortages due to aging populations and rapid digital transformation. During India’s G20 Presidency in 2023, leaders stressed the need for skills-based migration to fill these gaps. The MoU is a vital step in making these migration pathways a reality, ensuring Indian workers can compete on a global stage.
Dr. Mandaviya called this MoU a collaborative effort to shape the future of work amid ongoing changes. He emphasized that the IRCO will help improve data comparability and mutual recognition of skills. India is also advancing its economy by working on formal job creation and social protection.
Highlighting India’s initiatives, Dr. Mandaviya mentioned the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, which aims to create 35 million formal jobs in two years. He also pointed to India’s commitment to using digital technology to enhance labor markets. Two key digital tools were showcased at the International Labour Conference:
- National Career Service (NCS) Portal: This platform assists with job matching and career guidance.
- e-Shram Portal: A national database that helps unorganized workers access social security.
These digital initiatives could help other countries improve their labor markets, and Dr. Mandaviya proposed sharing these innovations with the global community alongside the ILO.
ILO Director General Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo praised the MoU, saying it will benefit countries facing workforce shortages, especially through improved labor mobility and skills recognition.
Secretary of Labor and Employment, Ms. Vandana Gurnani, emphasized that the MoU lays the groundwork for studying priority sectors like the green economy, digital tech, and healthcare. These areas are predicted to experience the most job growth in the coming years.
This agreement marks India’s ambition to become a leading provider of skilled workers globally. With a large youth population, India is poised to supply talent to countries facing demographic challenges.
As the job landscape evolves, this collaboration with the ILO could act as a standard for skill recognition worldwide. For Indian youth, it represents brighter opportunities abroad, while partner countries gain access to a skilled, adaptable workforce.
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Mansukh Mandaviya, ILO, International Reference Classification of Occupations, global jobs, skill recognition, NCS Portal, e-Shram, Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, India workforce, G20 migration pathways
