MoS launches Ayush Anudan Portal under Ayush Grid Initiative (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - Sec 17 of Trade Marks Act does not prevent protection of prominent part of composite mark where that part is distinctive: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Coal Production commences from Urtan and Dhirauli Mines in MP (See 'Corp Brief') Govt's TEAM Initiative empowering Small Businesses through Digital Commerce Enablement (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - Provisional attachment not invalidated due to lack of competency of officer; amended provisions do not apply to transactions prior to 2016 amendment if property continues to be held: SAFEMA (See 'Legal Desk') MoRD charts roadmap for Women-Led Rural Marketing Ecosystems (See 'Corp Brief') Pharmacopoeia Commission organizes 5-Day Capacity Building Training (See 'Corp Brief') Saurabh Vijay assumes charge as CEO of Unique Identification Authority of India (See 'Corp Brief') Companies Act - Appellant company directed to change its name where it significantly resembles the name of a pre-existing company and may cause confusion: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Minister reviews technology-led underground mining, integrated smelting operations (See 'Corp Brief') Scientific Steering Committee Meeting on National One Health Mission Held in New Delhi (See 'Corp Brief') Govt launches campaign to reduce edible oil consumption (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - Provisional attachment unsustainable when Initiating Officer fails to establish source of consideration & beneficial ownership as per Section 2(9)(A): SAFEMA (See 'Legal Desk') HM inaugurates 'Million Minds Tech Park' and 'GREMI City Campus' in Ahmedabad (See 'Corp Brief') Amit Shah inaugurates State-of-the-Art Milk Processing Plant of Madhur Dairy (See 'Corp Brief') Experts Discuss Yoga for Youth and Mental Wellness in Digital Era (See 'Corp Brief') Misc - RBI circular dated June 07, 2019 on 'Prudential Framework for Resolution of Stressed Assets' was policy decision taken by expert body in larger public interest: HC (See 'Legal Desk') GeM continues to support Digital Public Procurement System (See 'Corp Brief') Ministry of Education reviews strategy for mainstreaming Out-of-School children (See 'Corp Brief') Misc - NBFC cannot reposses financed vehicle through coercive means, without adherence to due process of law and in violation of RBI recovery guidelines: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Govt extends timeline for Global Tender for REPM scheme (See 'Corp Brief') Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission organizes Scientific Conclave (See 'Corp Brief') A&C - Later attempt by insurer to artificially split same claim into separate components of admitted and denied liability does not render unpaid component non-arbitrable: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Scindia reviews Key Development Projects during Sikkim Visit (See 'Corp Brief') Union Minister of State for Coal & Mines reviews CMPDIL (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - If transaction was builder-linked contractual arrangement rather than pure financial debt default, Section 7 IBC proceedings cannot be used in parallel with DRT recovery proceedings: SC (See 'Legal Desk') Commerce Minister chairs meet on promoting fisheries exports (See 'Corp Brief') Govt reviews progress of micro Food Processing Enterprises in Leh (See 'Corp Brief') FERA - Foreign judgment is unenforceable in India as it fell within exceptions u/s 13 CPC: SC (See 'Legal Desk') Railways carries 170% more Cement in last 4 Months (See 'Corp Brief') A&C - Once seat of arbitration is expressly designated by agreement of parties, that seat becomes juridical home of arbitration and operates akin to exclusive jurisdiction clause: SC (See 'Legal Desk') Self-reliance and jointness must for strategic autonomy & future-ready force: RM (See 'Corp Brief') Company Law - For purpose of maintainability of petitions u/s 397 & 398, expression ‘member' is not to be confined only to formal entry in register of members u/s 41(2): SC (See 'Legal Desk') NCB launches 6-Month Online Certification Program on Advanced Concrete Technology (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - While subsidiary companies are separate legal entities, corporate veil may be lifted if associated companies are inextricably connected so as to form one concern: SC (See 'Legal Desk') Supreme Court lays down scenarios for lifting of Doctrine of Corporate Veil (See 'CORP EINSICHTf')

BRICS Labour & Employment Ministerial Declaration adopted

Published: Sep 11, 2024

By TIOLCorplaws News Service

NEW DELHI, SEP 11, 2024: SECRETARY, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Sumita Dawra, attended the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting held under the Russian Presidency on 9-10 Sept, 2024 in the city of Sochi, Russia. The Ministers/ Heads of Delegation of the member countries viz. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa participated in the meeting. Ministers/Heads of Delegation of the new members of BRICS Partnership: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates also attended the meeting.

Discussions were held on four priority issues namely, (i) development of a system of vocational guidance, skills training and lifelong professional education for the entire population, (ii) platform employment and the challenges of its regulation, (iii) ensuring safety and healthy working environment and social protection for workers, (iv) development of social support for the BRICS countries.

Secretary elucidated the progressive steps taken by Government of India, highlighting the comprehensive scheme for internship opportunities for India youth, integration of National Career Service (NCS) portal with Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) for integration of skilling and employment, role of Sector Skill Councils in training and education of youth and adults in enhancing employability, and e-Shram for access to skills portal by informal sector workers.

Indian delegation informed that the Code on Social Security is a significant step forward by the Government of India as it defines ‘gig' and ‘platform' workers for the first time, and envisages providing social security benefits to them, thereby formalizing these workers by providing them with the much-needed social protection.

Government of India's strategies to mitigate risks associated with occupational hazards and promoting a healthier workforce were highlighted. Accidental insurance under ESIC (Employees' State Insurance Corporation) was showcased as a pivotal safeguard for the workforce in India, ensuring financial security in the face of unforeseen accidents or injuries on the job, encompassing crucial coverage of medical expenses, disability benefits and compensation in case of fatalities due to workplace accidents, to ensure a secure and dignified livelihood for India's labour force.

On the matter of social security for citizens of BRICS countries, the strengths brought to formal labour force on account of schemes of Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) was highlighted. ESIC provides medical, sickness and other benefits, to its members; while EPFO is one of the world's largest social security funds providing pensionary and provident fund related benefits to labour.

EShram with a strong membership of 300 million unorganised sector workers, and India's vision to develop it as a ‘one-stop-shop' for access to social security benefits by the informal sector and self employed workers was explained.

Besides several important schemes promoting labour welfare, such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for affordable housing, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana to enhance employability through skill development, etc were highlighted.

India's impressive coverage of 347 million under Ayushman Bharat healthcare cards was also showcased as the world's largest government-funded healthcare programme.

India's remarkable transformation in its approach to financial inclusion and social welfare, by prioritising access to financial services and providing safety nets for vulnerable populations, whereby Government of India has empowered millions of individuals, thereby fostering an inclusive society, was emphasised. Member states were also urged by India to work together to ensure that universal social protection becomes a reality for the citizens in BRICS countries.

One of the significant outcomes of the aforesaid meeting was the adoption of the BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers' Declaration. The Declaration recognized the need for developing: comprehensive strategies for life-long learning, vocational guidance, continuous professional education; modernization of employment services; ensuring safe working conditions; welfare of the platform workers and bolstering robust social support mechanisms.

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