Committee : International Labour Organization

Topic : “Global Collaboration to Ensure

Decent Work in order to Enhance
the Welfare of International
Society”
Country : Republic of India
Delegates : 1. Raissa Bernadine Putri
2. Adhyarisa Manyura Rizharinka

Background and Past Action

India, as a member state of the International Labour Organization (ILO), has made
efforts to ensure decent work for its citizens. India has been actively involved in
implementing the principles and standards set forth by the ILO. In the past, India has taken
several actions to promote decent work. One notable initiative is the implementation of
various labour laws and regulations aimed at protecting workers’ rights. These laws cover
areas such as minimum wages, occupational safety and health, working hours, and social
security. Additionally, India has actively engaged in dialogue with the ILO and participated
in various conferences and meetings to address labour-related issues. The labour force
participation rate in India (for all ages) stood at 37.5% in 2018-19, of which 52% are self-
employed and nearly a quarter are engaged as casual workers. Further, 68.2% of those
employed in the non-agricultural sector are engaged in informal employment. There is also a
high degree in formal employment, with 69.5% of regular wage/salaried (RWS) workers
having no written job contract, 54% not eligible for paid leave, and 52% not eligible for any
social security benefits.

Most of India's population lives in urban areas. This made rural areas in India left
behind in many aspects, such as the economy. People's lack of ability to manage agriculture,
extreme environmental conditions, and a lack in education made Indians prefer to work in
cities. This causes extreme poverty in the rural areas that attracts government attention. In
2005, the Indian government introduced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which guarantees 100 days of wage employment per year to
rural households. This landmark legislation aimed to address poverty, unemployment, and
rural distress by providing a safety net for marginalized workers. MGNREGA can be also
thought of as a way to reduce gender, classes and castes differences accentuated by the lack
of social protection, persistent under-employment and the ambiguities of financial inclusion.
Another action that the government took for their people's prosperity is The Five-Year Plan,
which is a program that targets the increase in the economy, especially to farmers.

Current Condition

The aftermath of COVID-19, which intensified the existing fault lines of the labour
market, compellingly illustrates the developmental dilemma in India. The other profound and
debilitating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic included losses in labour and business
income, especially in the most affected sectors; enterprise closures, particularly for micro,
small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); supply chain disruptions; and new challenges to
 safety, health and rights at work. India's are working with the ILO organization on the Start
and Improve Your Business (SIYB) program to restore areas, especially rural areas, so that
the workers are trained to create businesses using the facilities and tools that are provided by
the program. The governments had taken various actions in offering help to those who
needed it. Governments provide compensation to the daily wage of the workers due to
pandemic impact on economic activities, and also double the amount of pension for those
who are categorized as elderly, disabled people, and widows.

Nowadays, the government is still working together with the ILO to improve the
previous Decent Work Country Programme 2018-2022. Technical assistance, guidance and
handholding support provided by the ILO was valued by both workers’ and employers’
organizations. In particular, workers’ organizations acknowledged the ILO’s contribution in
establishing worker information and support centers. Workers also recognized ILO’s
normative role in providing them with a platform to promote their rights. For India to achieve
its SDG goals and successfully implement the ILO mandate on social justice and decent
work, it will be necessary to improve the quality of existing jobs while providing decent jobs
to the existing unemployed (23.5 million in 2020-2021).

Resolutions

1. Considering that there are still minors who are forced to work and discrimination is still
happening in the workplace. Therefore, based on ILO Decent Work Agenda it is necessary to
create a large number of work opportunities and new labour market entrants, including
women, youth and persons with disabilities. Employers should give workers the freedom to
express their opinions and concerns then follow up if it is necessary.

2. Realizing that the level of education in each country is still uneven which will have an impact
on the ability of future workers to adapt to global and technological developments, there is a
need for education and training to improve the ability of workers. Each country should focus
on various tasks such as conducting skills assessments, assisting in the development of
comprehensive information systems, collaborating in the enhancement of technical and
vocational education and training (TVET) programs, supporting national skill development
initiatives, and advocating for ongoing skill enhancement with employers.

3. Acknowledging that the workers' rights are still not equally exercised by some institutions,
from the perspective of the adequate minimum wages, working time, safety and health
including no violence-harassment at workplaces and giving the equal opportunity and
respecting other people's dignity. The government can implement The International Labour
Standard (ILS), The Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW), and social
dialogue also strengthen the implementation of the laws that have been written.
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