By Chetanya Sarraf
July 15, 2026, 01:12 PM

BRICS Labour Ministers Meeting Begins in Hyderabad

The BRICS Labour Ministers Meeting officially commenced in Hyderabad under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, bringing together labour ministers, senior government officials, and policy experts from member nations. The high-level gathering focuses on strengthening cooperation in employment, workforce development, social security, and skills training while addressing the changing demands of the global labour market.

Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the meeting alongside Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje and representatives from BRICS countries. The discussions are expected to contribute to stronger collaboration among member nations in creating inclusive and sustainable employment opportunities.

As the world continues adapting to technological transformation and changing economic conditions, labour policies have become increasingly important. The Hyderabad meeting provides an opportunity for participating countries to exchange experiences, identify common challenges, and develop practical solutions that benefit workers across different sectors.

Key Priorities Under India's Chairship

India has outlined four major priorities for this year’s BRICS Labour Ministers Meeting. These include expanding social security coverage, promoting workforce participation, improving employment opportunities through skill development, and using digital technology to strengthen labour market systems.

The meeting also places special emphasis on supporting women in the workforce and ensuring greater inclusion of workers from informal sectors. Officials are expected to discuss ways to improve access to social protection for gig workers, platform workers, and other emerging categories of employment that have expanded rapidly in recent years.

Another important topic is workforce skilling. As industries increasingly adopt automation, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies, governments recognise the need to prepare workers with updated skills that match future employment requirements.

Importance Of International Cooperation

The BRICS grouping represents some of the world’s largest emerging economies, making labour cooperation increasingly significant. By sharing successful policy initiatives and employment strategies, member countries can learn from one another while improving workforce productivity and economic growth.

Delegates are also discussing how technology can simplify labour administration, improve access to employment services, and strengthen social security delivery through digital platforms. Such collaboration is expected to benefit millions of workers across BRICS nations.

Focus On Inclusive Growth

A major objective of the BRICS Labour Ministers Meeting is ensuring that economic development benefits every section of society. Delegates are exploring policies that encourage higher workforce participation while creating equal opportunities for women, young professionals, rural workers, and people employed in informal sectors.

Inclusive labour policies remain essential for sustainable economic growth. Expanding access to education, vocational training, and employment support can help workers adapt to rapidly changing labour markets while improving long-term productivity.

Technology And The Future Of Work

Digital transformation has become a central theme of labour policy discussions worldwide. During the Hyderabad meeting, officials are examining how digital tools can improve employment services, enhance workforce planning, and strengthen skill mapping.

Artificial intelligence, automation, and digital platforms continue transforming industries across manufacturing, healthcare, finance, logistics, and services. Governments therefore face the challenge of preparing workers for new opportunities while protecting employment rights.

The meeting also highlights the importance of continuous learning. Lifelong skill development is increasingly viewed as essential for helping employees remain competitive in evolving industries.

Strengthening BRICS Collaboration

Officials believe stronger cooperation among BRICS nations can improve labour standards while encouraging innovation in employment policies. Sharing research, successful initiatives, and workforce development strategies allows participating countries to build stronger labour ecosystems that support sustainable economic growth.

Discussions are also expected to encourage greater collaboration between governments, educational institutions, businesses, and industry organisations. Such partnerships can help create training programmes that better match the needs of modern employers.

India Highlights Workforce Development Agenda

During the BRICS Labour Ministers Meeting, India also highlighted the importance of preparing its workforce for the future through continuous skill development and stronger labour market reforms. As industries increasingly adopt digital technologies, governments are focusing on equipping workers with practical skills that improve employability while supporting economic growth.

Officials discussed expanding vocational education, promoting industry-academia partnerships, and encouraging innovation in training programmes. These initiatives aim to bridge the gap between available talent and evolving industry requirements, ensuring that workers remain competitive in rapidly changing job markets.

Another major area of discussion was strengthening social security systems for workers engaged in the gig economy and platform-based employment. With millions of people now working through digital platforms, policymakers emphasised the need to develop inclusive frameworks that provide access to healthcare, insurance, pensions, and other essential benefits.

Participants also exchanged views on improving labour mobility, encouraging entrepreneurship, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, which continue to generate significant employment across BRICS nations. By sharing successful policy experiences, member countries hope to create stronger labour ecosystems capable of responding to future economic challenges.

The Hyderabad meeting reflects a shared commitment among BRICS nations to promote sustainable employment, improve workforce resilience, and ensure that economic progress benefits workers across all sectors. Experts believe that the recommendations emerging from these discussions will contribute to stronger labour cooperation and long-term development across the BRICS partnership.

In addition to policy discussions, the BRICS Labour Ministers Meeting offers an opportunity for member nations to strengthen long-term partnerships in workforce planning and employment generation. Experts believe that regular dialogue among BRICS countries can encourage the exchange of best practices in labour governance, workplace safety, digital employment services, and skill certification. Such collaboration can help create more resilient labour markets capable of adapting to technological advancements and global economic changes. As employment trends continue to evolve, coordinated efforts between governments, industries, and educational institutions will play a crucial role in building a skilled, productive, and future-ready workforce across all BRICS member nations.

Looking Ahead

The BRICS Labour Ministers Meeting reflects India’s commitment to promoting inclusive growth, workforce development, and stronger international cooperation. By focusing on social security, skilling, digital innovation, and employment generation, the meeting aims to address some of the most pressing labour challenges facing emerging economies.

The recommendations and policy discussions held in Hyderabad are expected to shape future cooperation among BRICS nations while supporting millions of workers through improved employment opportunities and stronger social protection systems. As global labour markets continue evolving, initiatives that encourage knowledge sharing and coordinated policymaking will remain increasingly important for achieving sustainable economic development.

Source: ANI

Your trusted source for news, updates, and insights from India and around the world.

By Chetanya Sarraf July 15, 2026, 01:12 PMBRICS Labour Ministers Meeting Begins in Hyderabad