India’s Labour Reforms Surge: How New Codes and Digital Infrastructure are Revolutionizing Employment and Social Security

India’s Labour Reforms Surge: How New Codes and Digital Infrastructure are Revolutionizing Employment and Social Security​

Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje led the Indian delegation in Geneva, addressing the 114th International Labour Conference (ILC). Addressing the global focus on decent work, the Ministry highlighted comprehensive structural reforms guided by "Antyodaya," demonstrating India's rapid progress in labour market development and social protection expansion.

Landmark Reforms Simplify Labour Compliance Across India​

Ms. Shobha Karandlaje underscored that India has undertaken wide-ranging labour reforms through the consolidation of 29 Central Labour Laws into four simplified Labour Codes. These codes are designed to strengthen workers' welfare, simplify compliance requirements for businesses, and foster a modern, transparent labour ecosystem across the country.

The focus on national development is reflected in key employment statistics highlighted during the conference. Data shared by Minister Karandlaje indicated that youth employability has risen significantly, increasing from 34% in 2014 to over 56% in 2025.

Furthermore, domestic labour market conditions show marked improvement. Between 2017 and 2025, the unemployment rate saw a substantial fall, decreasing from 6% to 3.1%. Parallelly, women's workforce participation witnessed strong growth, surging from 22% to 38.8%.

Digital Public Infrastructure Drives Workforce Modernization​

The Indian delegation heavily emphasized its pioneering work in developing robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for the labour and employment sector. Key initiatives shared included the National Career Service Portal and the e-Shram Portal, which serve as scalable public goods for connecting workers to opportunities.

Minister Karandlaje also detailed India’s commitment to international cooperation regarding skills and occupations. She noted an ongoing feasibility study with the ILO aimed at developing a global reference classification of occupations, ensuring standardized labor data across nations.

Social Security Coverage Reaches New Heights Globally​

A major focus of the Minister's address was the significant expansion of social protection coverage in India. As per preliminary estimates from the International Labour Organization (ILO), this coverage has reached approximately 1001 million individuals nationwide.

The growth trajectory is impressive; social protection coverage increased substantially, rising from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025. This progress underscores India's dedication to building a resilient and inclusive labour market for all citizens. The launch of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana further aims to bolster employment generation efforts.

Bilateral Discussions Focus on Collaborative Labour Markets​

On the sidelines of the ILC, Ms. Karandlaje conducted several bilateral meetings to strengthen international cooperation in workforce development. Discussions with Rwanda focused on enhancing bilateral ties concerning skilling and digital governance. India showcased the success of its DPI platforms as blueprints for other nations.

The Minister also met with Sri Lanka's Labour Minister, Mr. Anil Jayantha Fernando. The delegation shared its detailed experience regarding the implementation of the four New Labour Codes, providing insight into the reform roadmap and extensive stakeholder consultations that guided this transformative journey.

ILO Reaffirms Partnership on Decent Work Standards​

In a focused meeting with the Director-General of the ILO, Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Ms. Karandlaje reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening its partnership with the organization. She apprised the DG of both the landmark labour reforms and the rapid expansion of social protection coverage.

The Director General appreciated the substantial rise in India’s social security coverage in a short period. He also highlighted that this coverage continues to expand, bringing an even greater percentage of the population under the ambit of social security provisions.

Global Dialogue Highlights Worker Protection Standards​

At the high-level side event on "Global Dialogue on India's New Labour Codes," Ms. Karandlaje provided a comprehensive overview of the reforms. She emphasized that the new codes significantly strengthen minimum wage protection and reinforce occupational safety and health standards for all workers.

A key component highlighted was extending social security coverage explicitly to unorganized, gig, and platform workers. Moreover, India's growing focus on international labour mobility was enunciated, outlining a whole-of-government approach linking skilling with global employment opportunities while ensuring transparent migration pathways.