Overview
India’s Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje led the Indian delegation at the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva. The ILC is the highest decision‑making body of the ILO. It brings together governments, employers and workers from 187 countries to set global labour standards.
A Global Meeting on Labour
Every year, representatives from almost all countries meet in Geneva, Switzerland. They discuss how to make work better for people everywhere. This meeting is called the International Labour Conference (ILC) . It is the most important decision‑making body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) . In June 2026, the 114th session of the ILC took place. India was represented by a high‑level delegation led by Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje . She spoke about India’s recent labour reforms and shared the country’s progress with the world.
What is the International Labour Conference?
The International Labour Conference is the supreme deliberative body of the ILO. It meets once every year. More than 5,000 delegates attend, including representatives from 187 member states and observers from international organisations. The conference sets international labour standards, guides the ILO’s work, and elects the members of the ILO’s Governing Body. The first ILC was held in 1919 in Washington D.C. after the end of the First World War.
The Unique Tripartite Structure
A very special feature of the ILC is its tripartite structure . Each member country sends a delegation made up of three groups :
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Two government delegates
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One employer delegate
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One worker delegate
This is often written as 2–1–1. All three groups participate and vote independently . This means that workers and employers have equal voice with governments. No other international organisation has this system. It ensures that labour standards are discussed from the perspective of everyone involved – the state, the business owners, and the working people.
Roles and Functions of the ILC
The ILC performs many important tasks. Here are the main ones:
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Crafting and adopting international labour standards – These are called Conventions and Recommendations.
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Supervising the application of standards – A special committee checks whether countries are following the rules.
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Approving the ILO’s biennial programme and budget – Deciding how money will be spent over two years.
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Electing the members of the ILO’s Governing Body – The body that runs the ILO between conferences.
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Admitting new member states – Countries that are not in the United Nations can join the ILO.
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Discussing reports of the Director‑General and the Chairperson of the Governing Body.
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Adopting resolutions that give guidelines for the ILO’s general policy and future work.
India at the 114th ILC (2026)
India’s delegation was led by Shobha Karandlaje , Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment. She addressed the plenary session and highlighted the major labour reforms undertaken by the Indian government. She said that India has consolidated 29 central labour laws into four labour codes . This has made compliance simpler and expanded social protection for workers. She also mentioned that youth employability in India has increased from 34% in 2014 to over 56% in 2025 .
The worker delegate from India, B. Surendran of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, spoke about social security. He noted that India has achieved 64% social security coverage for its workforce – one of the highest in the world. He also welcomed the steps taken to extend social security to gig and platform workers , a new and growing segment of the workforce.
On the sidelines, Minister Karandlaje held bilateral meetings with the labour ministers of Nepal, Angola and Mauritius . They discussed skill development, labour mobility, and sharing digital technology.
Important Declarations and Conventions
The ILC has adopted several landmark declarations over the years. The most famous is the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work , adopted in 1998 . This declaration sets out four core principles:
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Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.
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Elimination of forced labour.
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Abolition of child labour.
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Elimination of discrimination in employment.
India has ratified 45 ILO Conventions in total. Out of the eight fundamental conventions, India has ratified six. The two not yet ratified are Convention No. 87 (Freedom of Association) and Convention No. 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining). India’s policy is to ratify only when national laws are fully aligned with the convention.
A Human Touch: Why the ILC Matters
For a worker in a small factory, a farmer in a remote village, or a delivery person on a bike, the ILC may seem very far away. But the standards discussed in Geneva affect their daily lives. When the ILC adopts a convention on child labour, countries must pass laws to stop it. When it sets rules on safety at work, factories must provide protective gear. When it talks about gig workers, it pushes governments to give them social security. So the ILC is not just for diplomats. It is for every person who works for a living.
Conclusion
The 114th International Labour Conference was an important platform for India to share its achievements and learn from others. Under the leadership of Minister Shobha Karandlaje, India’s tripartite delegation made its voice heard. The ILC remains the most important global forum for shaping the future of work – fair, safe and dignified for all.
Exam-Focused Points
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ILC stands for International Labour Conference – supreme body of the ILO.
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Meets annually in Geneva, Switzerland.
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187 member states are represented.
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Tripartite delegation: 2 Government + 1 Employer + 1 Worker (2–1–1). All vote independently.
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First ILC held in 1919 in Washington D.C.
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1998 Declaration: Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
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India’s ratification: 45 ILO Conventions (42 in force). 6 out of 8 fundamental conventions ratified.
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India’s unratified fundamental conventions: No. 87 (Freedom of Association) and No. 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining).
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India’s key labour reform: 29 central laws consolidated into 4 labour codes.
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Youth employability in India: 34% (2014) → 56% (2025).
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Social security coverage in India: 64% of workforce.
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Bilateral meetings at 114th ILC: Nepal, Angola, Mauritius.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the International Labour Conference?
A: The ILC is the annual meeting of the International Labour Organization. It is the highest decision‑making body for global labour standards.
Q2: What is the tripartite structure of the ILC?
A: Each country sends three groups: two government delegates, one employer delegate and one worker delegate (2–1–1). All vote independently.
Q3: Which major declaration was adopted at the ILC in 1998?
A: The Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work was adopted in 1998.
Q4: Who led the Indian delegation at the 114th ILC in 2026?
A: Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, led the Indian delegation.
Q5: How many ILO Conventions has India ratified?
A: India has ratified 45 ILO Conventions. Out of 8 fundamental conventions, 6 have been ratified.