India has undertaken wide-ranging labour reforms through the consolidation of 29 Central Labour Laws into four distinct Labour Codes. The legislative overhaul is aimed at simplifying regulatory compliance, strengthening workers’ welfare, and establishing a modern and transparent labour ecosystem across the country.
Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, detailed the structural policy transition while addressing the Plenary Session of the International Labour Conference (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland. During her address, the Minister expressed appreciation for the ILO’s continued leadership in promoting global social justice and decent work environments amidst rapidly evolving industrial transformations.
Focus Placed on Digital Public Infrastructure
In her address to the international delegates, Ms Karandlaje laid significant emphasis on India’s legislative and technological progress in developing robust Digital Public Infrastructure within the national labour and employment sector. She specifically highlighted the successful integration and operational expansion of the National Career Service Portal alongside the e-Shram Portal as key drivers of this digital transformation. These digital platforms have been systematically designed to streamline employment services, map workforce demographics, and bring unorganized sector workers into a formalized welfare network, thereby improving the delivery of social security benefits.
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Workforce Demographics Reflect Significant Gains
The Minister also highlighted India’s shifting macroeconomic indicators, sharing recent statistical data to demonstrate steady progress in the domestic job market. According to the data presented, India’s overall unemployment rate fell from 6 percent in 2017 down to 3.1 percent in 2025. Concurrently, women’s workforce participation experienced a significant upward trajectory during the same multi-year period, surging from 22 percent to 38.8 percent. Furthermore, the Minister stressed the growing importance of international cooperation on global skills and occupations, noting that India is currently engaged in an ongoing feasibility study with the ILO to develop an international reference classification of occupations to assist cross-border mobility.
Bilateral Meetings Maintained on Conference Sidelines
On the sidelines of the main plenary sessions of the International Labour Conference, the Indian Minister maintained an active diplomatic schedule to enhance bilateral ties and discuss collaborative frameworks. Ms Karandlaje held separate bilateral meetings with several high-level international dignitaries, including the Minister of Public Service and Labour of Rwanda, Christine Nkulikiyinka, and the Labour Minister of Sri Lanka, Anil Jayantha Fernando. Additionally, the Minister met with the Director-General of the International Labour Organization, Gilbert F. Houngbo, to discuss further alignment between India’s domestic legal reforms and global labour standards.
