CCI nod for acquisition of shares by Coastal Cedar Investments in Fleur Hotels (See 'Corp Brief') CCI approves acquisition of equity of KNR SPVs by Indus Infra Trust (See 'Corp Brief') CCI approves acquisition by Citrus Investment LLC of shares in Hitachi Construction Machinery (See 'Corp Brief') CCI okays acquisition of equity shares of Aditya Birla Housing Finance Ltd. by Indriya Ltd. (See 'Corp Brief') CCI approves acquisition of equity in Nabha Power by Torrent Power Ltd. (See 'Corp Brief') Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam attains First Criticality (See 'Corp Brief') Policy for Transit Oriented Development for providing affordable housing in Delhi (See 'Corp Brief') Ministry of Mines notifies Amendment in Rules for Faster Operationalisation of Mines (See 'Corp Brief') Govt to curb Distress Sale in APT Crops; Value Addition to boost Farmers' Income (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - Initiating proceedings under PMLA for continuing possession or use of proceeds of crime acquired prior to enactment of PMLA does not violate Article 20(1) of Constitution: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Navi Mumbai turning Textile Waste into Opportunity for People (See 'Corp Brief') Company Law - Sourcing pre-condition deposit unlawfully from corporate funds in direct violation of Sec 185, or executing settlement agreements without effectuating actual refunds or delivering legally valid & habitable possession, is illegal: SC (See 'Legal Desk') TRAI releases Paper on 'Formulation of Regulatory Framework for ALTD Services (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - Minor alteration to well-established trademark, such as changing single letter, does not render new mark dissimilar, especially when it remains phonetically and visually close to original: HC (See 'Legal Desk') GeM achieves Rs 18.4 Lakh Crore GMV, Emerges as Key Digital Public Procurement Platform (See 'Corp Brief') Benami Act - Burden of proof of benami transaction rests strictly upon person asserting it, and reliance solely on uncorroborated statements of third parties recorded in unrelated Income Tax proceedings, is insufficient: SAFEMA (See 'Legal Desk') Union Minister to inaugurate NCVET Capacity Building (See 'Corp Brief') FEMA - Continuing adjudication u/s 16 of FEMA despite competent authority's refusal to confirm seizure u/s 37A of FEMA, is contrary to law: SC (See 'Legal Desk') Minister calls for stronger research-industry linkages to scale food innovation sector (See 'Corp Brief') A&C Act - Doctrine of 'transnational issue estoppel' applies to enforcement proceedings u/s 48 of Arbitration Act, barring enforcement court from undertaking merits-based review: SC (See 'Legal Desk') MoS backs scaling up indigenous Insulin production amid global supply concerns (See 'Corp Brief') A&C - Mere existence of document, despite it containing arbitration clause, would not qualify as arbitration agreement, unless it is signed by parties seeking to invoke clause as also party against whom enforcement is sought: HC (See 'Legal Desk') New Sainik School reflects Centre's Vision for Nation-Building through Education (See 'Corp Brief') A&C - Agreement to sell being unregistered and unstamped as per Registration Act, Transfer of Property Act, and Indian Stamps Act, cannot be enforced: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Supreme Court Clears Path For Single Insolvency Proceedings Against Linked Group Companies (See CORP EINSICHT)

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.

TIOL CORP SEARCH

TIOL GROUP WEBSITES