ILO backs BRICS push for universal social protection, future-ready jobs

•Says digital transformation must serve workers, not replace rights

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has thrown its weight behind a renewed commitment by BRICS nations to expand social protection, formalise labour markets, boost women’s participation in the workforce and prepare workers for the digital economy, describing the agenda as timely and critical to the future of work.

The endorsement came at the 2026 BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting (LEMM), held under India’s chairmanship with the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.

The ministers agreed on a broad roadmap to strengthen labour markets through social protection, skills development, digital innovation and greater inclusion.

In a video message to the meeting shared to journalists by the world labour body, ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, commended India for placing labour and employment at the centre of the BRICS agenda.

“The priorities identified could not be more timely,” Houngbo declared.

He also applauded India’s remarkable progress in extending social protection to a large majority of its citizens, describing the achievement as a model for other developing countries.

“This milestone offers lessons that can be shared through South-South cooperation,” he added.

A major outcome of the meeting was the commitment by BRICS labour ministers to progressively expand social protection coverage in line with national realities while strengthening sustainable financing mechanisms, accelerating labour market formalisation and improving social security benefits through bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

The ministers also emphasised on increasing women’s participation in the labour market, with discussions focusing on investment in the care economy, expanding access to skills and lifelong learning, ensuring equal pay, preventing violence and harassment at work, and promoting women’s entrepreneurship and leadership.

According to ILO estimates presented at the meeting, investments in a universal care policy package across BRICS countries could create approximately 165 million jobs by 2030, while simultaneously narrowing gender pay gaps, increasing female labour force participation and stimulating economic growth.

On the future of work, ministers agreed to deepen cooperation on employability, labour market intelligence, skills forecasting and workforce development to meet growing demand in green, digital and care economies.

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They also reviewed an ongoing ILO feasibility study, undertaken jointly with India and Brazil, on developing an International Reference Classification of Occupations aimed at supporting skills recognition and labour mobility across emerging sectors.

The meeting further examined how digital technologies can strengthen worker protection, particularly for gig and platform workers.

An ILO and International Social Security Association (ISSA) analysis presented to ministers identified digital solutions capable of simplifying worker registration, contribution collection, benefits administration, identity verification, digital payments, career guidance, skills profiling and job matching.

The ILO, however, stressed that digital transformation must remain inclusive, rights-based and backed by robust governance, data protection and institutional capacity.

“Well-governed digital transformation can expand decent work opportunities and ensure that innovation serves people, not the other way around,” Houngbo said.

He noted that the recent adoption of ILO Convention No. 193 on Decent Work in the Platform Economy provides countries with a practical framework for managing technological change while safeguarding workers’ rights.

“The recent adoption of ILO Convention No. 193 on decent work in the platform economy shows how countries can navigate changes while protecting workers’ rights,” he said.

Another landmark outcome of the meeting was the adoption of BRICS CONNECT—the BRICS Cooperation Network for Capacity Building, Employability, New Skills and Technology.

The initiative builds on the existing BRICS Social Security Virtual Liaison Office (BRICS VLO) and is expected to strengthen cooperation on social security, digitalisation, skills development and women’s labour force participation through knowledge sharing and South-South cooperation.

The ministers also welcomed the technical support provided by the ILO and ISSA and reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining collaboration with both organisations

The ILO, in turn, pledged continued support for BRICS member states through policy advice, labour market data, technical assistance, capacity development and South-South and triangular cooperation to advance decent work priorities.

The BRICS bloc comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.