India (Commonwealth Union)_ The two-day G20 Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting concluded on July 21 with the unanimous adoption of three G20 Outcome Documents.
These are G20 Policy Priorities on Strategies to Address Skill Gaps Globally; G20 Policy Priorities on Adequate and Sustainable Social Protection; and Decent Work for Gig and Platform Workers; alongside G20 Policy Options for Sustainable Financing of Social Protection.
The outcomes are slated for submission to the leaders for their consideration to be annexed to the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration 2023. The ministers endorsed the Outcome Documents as well as the Chair’s Summary.
PM’s video message
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a video message for the meeting, emphasized the importance of equipping the global workforce with advanced technological skills. Recognizing the increasing prevalence of a mobile workforce worldwide, PM Modi stressed the need for genuine global collaboration in skill development and sharing.
“In the future, skilling, re-skilling, and upskilling will be the mantras for the workforce. In India, our Skill India Mission is a campaign to connect with this reality,” said the Prime Minister.
“The global workforce is going to be mobile in the future. Therefore, it is now time to globalize the development and sharing of skills in the true sense. The G20 must play a leading role in this,” he said.
Commending the dedication and skills demonstrated by frontline health and other workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, PM Modi highlighted India’s potential to emerge as a major supplier of skilled workforce to the world.
Commendable feat
Later, addressing a press conference, Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav commended the G20 labor group for having taken a historical step closer to strengthening global amity.
He said in a landmark initiative, G20 countries rallied behind India’s leadership for achieving consensus on all issues except just one paragraph on geopolitical issues, for which a Chair’s Summary was issued. Yadav said under India’s presidency, the G20 nations have agreed to include the reference to ‘respect for multilateralism’, ‘respect for purposes and principles of the UN Charter’, as well as the phrase by PM Modi, ‘Today’s era must not be of war’. This, he said, was a testament to the commitment of all G20 countries to come together for ensuring decent work and labor welfare for all workers. (Blitzindia)
