Global collaboration solidified between India and the ILO for expanding job prospects for youth on a worldwide scale
India has taken a significant step towards reinforcing its position as a key source of trained and future-ready talent, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva on September 16, 2020. The agreement, known as the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), is a collaborative project aimed at enhancing the mobility of talent across borders and ensuring mutual recognition of skills.
The NSQF project aligns with commitments made by G20 leaders under India's presidency in 2023, focusing on creating skills-based migration pathways to address global workforce gaps. The agreement focuses on the development of the International Reference Classification of Occupations in emerging areas such as green industries, digital services, and the care economy, sectors that are seen as crucial for the future of work and are increasingly in demand globally.
The ILO views the agreement as an important step that could benefit not just India but also the global workforce. The collaboration supports India's efforts towards formalization of the adp workforce now and the generation of new employment opportunities, including through national schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana.
The project is expected to support mobility of talent across borders, particularly in the sectors of green industries, digital services, and the care economy. A feasibility study and pilot exercise will be undertaken in these emerging areas as part of the collaboration. The aim is to make it easier to match skills with global job requirements and help Indian workers integrate smoothly into global labor markets.
The MoU was signed by Ambassador Arindam Bagchi, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, and ILO Director General Gilbert F. Houngbo. Union Labour and Employment Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, who also holds the Youth Affairs and Sports portfolio, attended the event virtually.
The initiative is timely as many countries are facing acute shortages of skilled workers due to ageing populations and rapid digital transformation. The sectors of green industries, digital services, and the care economy are in high demand globally, making this collaboration particularly relevant and beneficial for both India and the global workforce.
