BRICS Labour Ministers pledge to push for inclusive growth

The five BRICS member-nations on Wednesday pledged to continue to promote inclusive and sustainable growth in their respective countries.

The member-nations also acknowledged the need to develop a network of lead labour research and training institutions in BRICS countries for undertaking joint research and training activities.

"We reiterate our commitment, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, to continue to promote inclusive and sustainable growth with ensured employment and decent work for all with a view to end poverty in all its forms," the joint declaration by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa said.

The declaration also underlined the importance of maintaining "balance" between work-incentives, improving human capital and income protection.

The member-nations recognise the innovative capacity of our nations in responding to their particular national circumstances and evolving social protection systems, it said.

Releasing the declaration at the end of the two-day BRICS Labour Ministers Conference here, Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya told reporters that "BRICS is all about practical cooperation".

Hence, during its presidency this year, India is working to institutionalise cooperation, implement and integrate all previous decisions and commitments, and also to innovate new areas of cooperation, he said.

Among other things, he said, BRICS member-states have agreed to pursue bilateral social security agreements among them.

Dattatreya said the forum acknowledged the centrality of employment generation to the overall policy objective of sustainable development.

"A broad consensus was reached on encouraging social security agreements and networking of labour institutions of BRICS member-states," he said, adding that it was an action-oriented declaration.

The minister said India's initiative to amend child labour laws for a complete ban on employment of children below the age of 14 and enhanced paid maternity leave of 26 weeks has been appreciated both by the BRICS and the International Labour Organisation.

--IANS

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