India has consolidated 29 Central Labour Laws into four Labour Codes, under the principle of “Antyodaya,” to streamline compliance, enhance workers’ welfare, and establish a modern and transparent labour system. Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje shared this information during the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. She commended the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for its efforts in promoting social justice and decent work globally.
Karandlaje highlighted that youth employability in India has risen from 34% in 2014 to over 56% in 2025. Additionally, the country witnessed a decline in the unemployment rate from 6% in 2017 to 3.1% in 2025, while women’s workforce participation surged from 22% to 38.8% during the same period. India also emphasized its growing female labour force participation and the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana to boost employment opportunities.
During the conference, the minister engaged in a bilateral meeting with Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of ILO, reiterating India’s commitment to collaborating with ILO to promote decent work and inclusive growth. She informed him about the expansion of India’s social protection coverage, benefiting approximately 1,001 million individuals, as estimated by ILO.
Karandlaje also met with Christine Nkulikiyinka, Minister of Public Service and Labour of Rwanda, to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in employment services, skilling, workforce planning, and digital governance. India showcased the achievements of the National Career Service Portal and the e-Shram Portal as scalable Digital Public Goods, offering technical assistance for developing digital platforms for employment services and skill matching.
Furthermore, the minister held talks with Sri Lankan Labour Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando, who expressed interest in India’s labour reforms and sought insights on the successful implementation of the four New Labour Codes.
