By Dr. Gyan Pathak
Given the significant discrepancies in job descriptions across nations, the Government of India and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have signed an agreement on 16 September to fund a feasibility study on an international classification of occupations based on skill and qualification requirements.
The initiative, supported by a €650,000 contribution from India, represents the country’s first direct funding agreement with the ILO and reflects the country’s growing leadership and engagement in multilateral cooperation.
India funded a two-year ILO study to create a unified system for classifying jobs by skill and qualification levels, scheduled from September 2025 to September 2027, will examine the development of a standardized taxonomy to improve comparability of job roles and qualifications across countries. The findings are expected to inform policies on recruitment, migration, education and career guidance, particularly in the green, digital and care economies.
India’s commitment follows its G20 presidency in 2023, where member states called for greater comparability of skills across borders. India’s leadership in South-South cooperation and its active role in platforms like BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) and IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) have positioned it as a key player in shaping inclusive and sustainable labour policies.
“I appreciate India’s strong leadership in advancing this initiative, which will reinforce meaningful peer learning among G20 members on skills taxonomy,” said ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo.
Early findings from the OECD showing significant disparities in job descriptions across nations, underscore how important this latest joint study between the ILO and the Government of India is. The project aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 8, focusing on quality education and decent work. The study will apply cutting edge technologies, including artificial intelligence and big data, to analyse and harmonize existing occupational taxonomies.
India’s upcoming BRICS presidency in 2026 is expected to further amplify its role in global labour policy. This partnership between India and the ILO sends a powerful message: the importance of working internationally together to build a future of work that is equitable, adaptable, and inclusive.
Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya virtually attended the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Government of India and International Labour Organisation (ILO) for collaboration to develop ‘International Reference Classification of Occupations’.
The MoU was signed by Shri Arindam Bagchi, Ambassador and Permanent Mission of India, Geneva and Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director General, ILO in Geneva, Switzerland. The MoU will facilitate youth in availing global employment opportunities.
Significant skill shortages are being faced by many countries due to demographic deficits and digitalization. In order to fill these skill gaps, the G20 leaders during India’s Presidency in 2023 committed to working towards ensuring well-managed, regular and skills-based migration pathways. To this end, they endorsed the development of International Reference Classification of Occupations by skill and qualification requirements.
Addressing during the occasion, Dr. Mandaviya highlighted that the partnership between the Government of India and the ILO reflects shared commitment to shaping the future of work in times of rapid transformation. “The International Reference Classification will enhance comparability of data and promote mutual recognition of skills,” he further added.
Dr. Mandaviya drew attention to India’s steady progress towards greater formalisation of the economy. He also highlighted the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 12th Independence Day address, and stated its aim to create over 35 million jobs in the formal sector over the next two years. This would significantly boost youth employment and further expand the coverage of social protection data, the Minister said.
Dr. Mandaviya stressed upon India’s commitment to leveraging digital innovation in order to enhance labour market efficiency and worker welfare. This commitment, he said, was recently showcased at the International Labour Conference, where India presented two key digital public goods, the National Career Service (NCS) Portal and the e-Shram Portal.
“These digital initiatives hold great potential for cross-learning and adaptation by other member states,” Dr. Mandaviya said. The Minister proposed organising a dedicated session, in collaboration with the ILO, to share insights and experiences around these digital public goods.
This MoU marks a crucial step towards expanding global job opportunities for India’s youth. The agreement will help Indian workers to seamlessly integrate into global labour markets. It reinforces India’s vision of becoming not just the skill capital of the world, but also a trusted source of talent for countries facing workforce shortages.
This initiative has the potential of not only enhancing the global competitiveness of Indian graduates but also positioning India as an international hub for high quality, future-ready education and skilling. (IPA Service)
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