ILO’s 352nd Governing Body Meeting Kicks Off in Geneva

The 352nd Governing Body meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is currently taking place in Geneva. This important gathering began on October 28 and will run until November 7, bringing together representatives from member countries to discuss key labor issues and strategies for improving working conditions globally.

India’s Progress at ILO Governing Body Meeting

Event Overview 

• The 352nd Governing Body meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is currently underway in Geneva, running from October 28 to November 7.

Key Speaker

• Sumita Dawra, Labour and Employment Secretary of India, presented India’s initiatives and progress in improving living standards and employment.

Multidimensional Poverty Reduction

• India has successfully lifted 248 million individuals out of multidimensional poverty over the past nine years, according to the Multidimensional Poverty Index.
• This reflects the government’s commitment to addressing all dimensions of poverty.

Employment Growth

• The country has seen the addition of approximately 170 million persons to economic activities between 2016-17 and 2022-23, based on provisional estimates.
• This growth highlights the positive trends in employment and economic participation.

Government Initiatives

• PM Jan Dhan Yojana: A financial inclusion program aimed at providing banking access to the unbanked population.
• PM Jeevan Jyoti Yojana: Offers affordable life insurance to vulnerable populations.
• PM Suraksha Bima Yojana: Provides affordable accident insurance.
• These initiatives demonstrate India’s focus on enhancing financial inclusion and protecting vulnerable groups.

Transformation in Financial Inclusion

• Ms. Dawra emphasized India’s remarkable transformation over the last decade regarding financial inclusion, ensuring that access to financial services is prioritized for all, especially vulnerable populations.

Convergent Approach Advocacy

• India advocated for a convergent approach among UN bodies, aiming for a synergistic operation to promote social justice and sustainable inclusive development globally.

Overview of the 352nd Session of the ILO

Agenda Highlights

• Strategic Plan for 2026–2029
• Global Coalition for Social Justice
• Democratization of Governance
• World Summit for Social Development 2025

Country-Specific Situations

Follow-Up on Ukraine

• Continued discussions on the resolution addressing the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, focusing on its implications for labor rights and conditions.

Palestine’s Participation

• Deliberations regarding Palestine’s status within the ILO and its rights to participate in ILO meetings will take place.

Examination of Country Cases

The Governing Body will assess labor situations in several countries, including,

• Belarus
• Nicaragua
• Venezuela
• Bangladesh
• Guatemala
• Myanmar

Governing Body Function

• The Governing Body serves as the Executive Body of the ILO, meeting three times a year (in March, June, and November) to make decisions on,

1. ILO policy
2. Agenda for the International Labour Conference
3. ILO Programme and Budget

About International Labour Organization (ILO)

• It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) dedicated to improving labor conditions and living standards throughout the world.

History

• It was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, to reflect the belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it is based on social justice.
• In 1946, the ILO became a specialized agency of the newly formed UN.