Brics countries pledge support for women in workforce

Brics countries on Wednesday adopted a joint declaration to expand social security, boost women’s participation in the workforce, strengthen skills development and deepen cooperation on digital labour markets under India’s chairmanship

Brics countries on Wednesday adopted a joint declaration to expand social security, boost women’s participation in the workforce, strengthen skills development and deepen cooperation on digital labour markets under India’s chairmanship.

Union labour and employment minister Mansukh Mandaviya during the 12th BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting in Hyderabad, Telangana on Wednesday. (mansukhmandviya/X)

The declaration was adopted at the 12th Brics Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting in Hyderabad, where Union labour minister Mansukh Mandaviya also launched Brics connect, an India-led platform to help member countries share best practices, strengthen technical cooperation and build capacity in labour and employment, a release in this regard said.

The declaration commits Brics members to gradually expand social protection, formalise more jobs, improve women’s workforce participation and strengthen cooperation on skills development. It also calls for closer collaboration on digital employment services and better support for gig and platform workers through the exchange of technology and best practices.

The ministers also backed an ongoing International Labour Organization study, led jointly with India and Brazil, on developing an international classification of occupations for digital, care and green jobs.