Synopsis
Union Minister of Labour & Employment Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate a two-day dialogue on social justice under the Global Coalition for Social Justice, coinciding with the ESIC's 74th Foundation Day on February 24 in New Delhi.Key Takeaways
- Inauguration by Mansukh Mandaviya on February 24
- Global Coalition for Social Justice initiative
- Focus on Responsible Business Practices
- Over 500 participants expected
- Celebration of ESIC’s 74th Foundation Day
New Delhi, Feb 23 (NationPress) Union Minister of Labour & Employment Mansukh Mandaviya is set to launch a two-day regional dialogue focused on social justice under the Global Coalition for Social Justice, coinciding with the celebration of the 74th Foundation Day of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) on Monday, February 24.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, will also attend the inaugural session of this significant international dialogue.
The Global Coalition for Social Justice is a pioneering initiative by the ILO aimed at uniting global, regional, and national stakeholders to ensure coherence in policies and actions aimed at promoting social justice. Established in November 2023, the Coalition has rapidly attracted 336 partners, which include 90 governments.
As a founding member of the ILO and a vital contributor to the Coordinating Group of the Global Coalition, India is taking significant steps to advance the social justice agenda.
Understanding the importance of collaboration among governments, businesses, and workers to foster social justice, India will spearhead a key intervention in the coalition titled "Responsible business practices for sustainable and inclusive societies".
This intervention aligns with a core thematic area of the Global Coalition that focuses on "expanding access to and capabilities for productive and freely chosen employment and sustainable enterprises", as noted in an official statement released on Sunday.
The two-day regional event, organized by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation in collaboration with the Global Coalition for Social Justice and the ILO, is supported by the Confederation of Industry (CII) and the Employers Federation of India (EFI), the statement indicated.
Discussions will center around skills and employment, enhancing social security, promoting gender inclusion in workplaces, implementing responsible business practices, improving corporate governance for decent work, and utilizing AI for social justice.
Over 500 participants, including representatives from coalition partners, government ministries, employers’ and workers’ organizations, academia, enterprises, experts from international bodies, and members and officers of the ESIC, are expected to attend the inaugural session of the regional dialogue, as stated.
The event will also commemorate the 74th Foundation Day of the ESIC, recognizing its vital contributions to social security and workers’ welfare in India. The ESIC administers one of the country’s most comprehensive social security schemes, offering medical care, maternity benefits, and financial protection to workers and their families.
Celebrations for the foundation day will showcase ESIC’s achievements and future plans for enhancing its services and outreach. Additionally, the event will honor key contributors to the ESIC’s mission of transitioning from "social security to social justice", commence the "ESIC Special Services Fortnight", and launch publications detailing ESIC's accomplishments.
The inaugural session will also reveal significant initiatives, including the e-Shram mobile application and publications such as a position paper on transforming India’s Social Protection Landscape through data pooling and insights gathered from the ISSA-ESIC International Seminar held in January 2025.
A highlight of the event will be the official announcement of the joining of the Global Coalition by key Indian workers’ and employers’ organizations.
A joint statement on responsible business conduct is anticipated to be released by India’s largest workers’ organization, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), along with India’s leading employers’ organization (CII-EFI), reflecting the united commitment of Indian workers' organizations and industries towards inclusive and sustainable development.
Through this pivotal Coalition event, India aims to reaffirm its dedication to leading the global movement towards social justice and inclusive growth, leveraging international partnerships to spur meaningful action. The outcomes from this event are likely to shape future strategies for universal social protection and fostering responsible business ecosystems, aligning with the broader goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Decent Work Agenda, as stated.
