India ILO Cooperation in International Classification of Occupations

The Government of India and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on developing International Reference Classification of Occupations in a big step towards increasing the employment opportunities around the world. This collaboration will help address skill gaps due to digital transformation and demographic changes, as well as meet the G20 pledge of designing skills-based migration pathways to the youth.

Why It Matters

The new system of classification will allow occupational data to become comparable between countries, which will open the way to mutual recognition of skills and qualifications. This is of particular concern to the Indian youth who tend to have difficulties in finding employment in foreign countries because of the dissimilarity of the skill levels. The harmonisation of occupational categories will assist in streamlining the international labour mobility and will develop smoother points of entry of skilled workers.

Digital Public Goods Change Agent.

India listed two of its digital platforms as flagships at the international labour conference, including the National Career Service (NCS) Portal and the e-Shram Portal.

• The NCS Portal matches job openings to job seekers providing real time labour market information.
• The e- Shram Portal is a national database of unorganised workers, which guarantees the right to access social security benefits.

Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya suggested that such platforms should be distributed on a worldwide level as digital public goods. With the ILO cooperation, other countries could adapt such tools and this would lead to a more efficient and inclusive labour market.

Looking Ahead

Pilot projects in accelerated sectors are another foundation to sustainable economies that is established in the MoU such as green jobs, digital services, and care work. Through enhancing the development of the work-force in these regions, not only will the collaboration assist India to become a world-skill center, but it will also help countries in the world with acute labour deficits.

A Global Win-Win

In the case of India, the deal will make it a more reliable source of talent. To the world, it helps in the direct solution of acute skills shortages, promote easier migration, and enhance international collaboration. Finally, the initiative may restructure the way countries prepare and position their employees in a globalized economy that is changing very fast.