India Can Become the Largest Provider of Skilled Workforce Globally: PM Modi at G20 Labour Meet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that India has the potential to become one of the largest providers of skilled workforce in the world. Speaking at the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers Meet, he emphasized the skills and dedication of India’s frontline health workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting that it reflects India’s culture of service and compassion.
Modi underscored the role of G20 nations in globalizing the development and sharing of skills. He commended the efforts of member nations to initiate the international referencing of occupations by skills and qualifications requirements. He also emphasized the need for new models of international cooperation and coordination, as well as migration and mobility partnerships.
The Prime Minister suggested sharing statistics, information, and data regarding employers and workers to empower countries worldwide to formulate evidence-based policies for better skilling, workforce planning, and gainful employment. He recognized that employment is one of the most crucial economic and social factors and emphasized the need to prepare responsive and effective strategies to address rapid transitions in the employment sector.
Modi acknowledged that we are in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with technology as the core driver for employment. He highlighted India’s capability in creating countless technology jobs during the last technological transformation. He mentioned the host city Indore, which is home to many startups leading the new wave of technological transformations.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of skilling the workforce using advanced technologies and processes. He mentioned India’s Skill India Mission and the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, which have successfully trained millions of Indian youth. He also emphasized the special focus on industry sectors like Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Internet of Things, and Drones.
Modi also addressed the gig and platform economy, which has emerged as a pillar of resilience during the pandemic. He emphasized its potential for generating gainful employment, particularly for the youth, and empowering women economically and socially. He stressed the need for new-age policies and interventions to ensure social security, health, and safety for workers in this economy.
The Prime Minister shed light on India’s eShram portal, which has seen millions of registrations and is being used for targeted interventions for workers. He suggested other countries adopt similar solutions as the nature of work has become transnational.
Modi also highlighted the need to consider a broader range of benefits in social protection coverage, such as universal public health, food security, insurance, and pension programs. He emphasized the importance of tailoring approaches to the unique economic capacities, strengths, and challenges of each country, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach to sustainable financing of social protection.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s potential to become the largest provider of skilled workforce globally. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation, new-age policies, and skilling the workforce in advanced technologies to adapt to rapid employment transitions. Modi’s address at the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers Meet showcased India’s commitment to generating gainful employment opportunities and promoting the socio-economic empowerment of its workforce.
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