Union Minister of Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, on Monday inaugurated the first-ever two-day Regional Dialogue on Social Justice in New Delhi, under the Global Coalition for Social Justice, an initiative led by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The event was attended by ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment Shobha Karandlaje, and other distinguished dignitaries.
The event commemorated the 74th Foundation Day of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), with an award ceremony recognizing outstanding achievements within its organizations.
Launched in 2023, the Global Coalition for Social Justice promotes a collaborative approach to decent work, social protection, responsible business conduct, and fair work. The coalition, which includes over 340 members from governments, academia, the private sector, and financial institutions, underscores the importance of global cooperation in advancing social justice goals.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, speaking at the event, emphasized India’s role as a key member of the Asia Pacific Coordinating Group and its leadership in organizing the Regional Dialogue. He expressed pride in India’s role in championing responsible business practices for sustainable and inclusive societies. “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has made significant strides towards economic transformation. The next five years present an opportunity to realize our vision of ‘Sabka Vikas’—balanced growth for all regions and communities,” Mandaviya stated.
As part of the event, Dr. Mandaviya launched the e-Shram mobile app, designed to strengthen social benefits delivery by offering real-time access to government welfare schemes, job listings, and multilingual support for workers.
Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO, congratulated India for its progress in social protection, noting the country’s efforts had doubled social protection coverage from 24.4% to 48.8%, according to the World Social Protection Report 2024. He praised India’s dual focus on business growth and social protection as a model for other nations to follow.
Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, highlighted that social justice must be approached with flexibility, emphasizing India’s constitutional commitment to social justice. She also noted that India’s efforts had contributed to a 5% increase in global social protection coverage. Karandlaje announced plans to extend coverage to informal workers, including those in agriculture, construction, gig, and platform sectors.
Secretary MoLE, Sumita Dawra, spoke about India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047, built on social justice principles. She emphasized the country’s strong demographic dividend, with 65% of the population under the age of 35, and the government’s commitment to employment generation and equity.
The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), India’s largest workers’ association, joined the Global Coalition for Social Justice, furthering the country’s commitment to ethical business practices and social justice. BMS, alongside the Confederation of Indian Industry-Employers’ Federation of India (CII-EFI), presented a Joint Statement on Responsible Business Conduct.
Several key publications were launched during the event, including Best Practices on Responsible Business Conduct in India, Position Paper on Transforming India’s Social Protection Landscape through Data Pooling, and Shram Samarth: A Journey to Excellence. Additionally, an exhibition demonstrated the use of technology in labour welfare, social security, and industrial safety.
Key stakeholders from countries including India, the Philippines, Namibia, Germany, Australia, Brazil, and international organizations such as the ILO and UN Women shared insights into digital skilling platforms, social security frameworks, and gender-responsive workplace policies.
Summit highlighted India’s increasing prominence on the global stage, showcasing its success in areas like low unemployment (3.2%), modernized labour codes, and 48.8% social protection coverage.
