Third Employment Working Group Meet

• 03 Jun 2023

For Prelims: Indian G20 Presidency, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Gig and platform economy, United Nations. 

For Mains:  International Labour Organization.  

Why in News?  

The Indian G20 Presidency is organising the third Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting at the International Labour Organization (ILO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.  

• This meeting, which aligns with the ILO's annual International Labour Conference, brings together delegates from G20 member countries, guest countries, and international organizations including International Labour Organization (ILO), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), International Social Security Association (ISSA), World Bank (WB). 

What are the Major Highlights of the Meet?  

• Priority Areas: 
  • The Indian Presidency has identified three priority areas for the EWG in 2023:  
    • Addressing Global Skill Gaps: This area focuses on developing strategies to bridge the skill gaps prevalent in the global workforce and enhance employability. 
    • Gig and Platform Economy and Social Protection: Discussions centre around ensuring social protection for workers in the gig and platform economy, considering the evolving nature of work. 
      • The gig and platform economy refers to a modern work arrangement where individuals perform short-term, freelance, or on-demand tasks or services through digital platforms or apps.  
      • It is characterised by the temporary and flexible nature of work, facilitated by online platforms that connect service providers (often referred to as gig workers) with customers or clients. 
    • Sustainable Financing of Social Protection: This area emphasises the importance of sustainable financing models to support social protection initiatives and provide safety nets for workers. 
•  Phases of the Meet:  
  • The EWG meeting is organised in four different phases in different cities in India.  
    • The first phase was held in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, in February 2023. 
    • The second phase was held in Guwahati, Assam, in April 2023. 
    • The third phase is being held in Geneva from 31^st May to 2^nd June 2023. 
    • The fourth and final phase will be held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh in July 2023. 

What is an Employment Working Group?  

• About:  
  • The Employment Working Group (EWG) is a forum established within the G20 framework to address issues related to employment, labour markets, and social policies. 
  • It serves as a platform for G20 member countries and relevant international organisations to engage in discussions, share experiences, and develop policy recommendations on employment-related matters. 
• Purpose: 
  • The main purpose of the EWG is to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth by fostering job creation, improving labour market outcomes, and ensuring social protection for workers.  

What is the International Labour Organization? 

• About:  
  • The ILO is one of the international knowledge partners of the Ministry of Labour and Employment that provides technical expertise to the EWG.  
  • The ILO is a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance social and economic justice by setting international labour standards. 
  • Founded in October 1919 (Treaty of Versailles) under the League of Nations, it is the first and oldest specialised agency of the UN. 
• Members:
  • The ILO has a tripartite structure that brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers from its 187 member states.  
    • India is a founder member of the International Labour Organization.  
• International Labour Conference:  
  • The ILO also hosts an annual International Labour Conference in Geneva that sets the International labour standards and the broad policies of the ILO. 
    • It is often referred to as an International Parliament of Labour. 
• Means of Action: 
  • The principal means of action in the ILO is the setting up of the International Labour Standards in the form of Conventions and Recommendations. 
    • Conventions are international treaties and are instruments, which create legally binding obligations on the countries that ratify them. 
    • Recommendations are non-binding and set out guidelines orienting national policies and actions.  
• Achievements:  
  • Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969. 
    • For improving peace among classes 
    • Pursuing decent work and justice for workers 
    • Providing technical assistance to other developing nation 
• Major Reports Released by ILO: 
  • World Employment and Social Outlook  
  • World Social Protection Report 
  • Global Wage Report  

UPSC Previous Year Questions:  

Q. International Labour Organization’s Conventions 138 and 182 are related to (2018)  

(a) Child Labour 

(b) Adaptation of agricultural practices to global climate change 

(c) Regulation of food prices and food security  

(d) Gender parity at the workplace 

Ans: a

Source: PIB