The 12th BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting was held in Hyderabad under India's BRICS Chairship 2026, bringing together ministers, delegation heads, employers' and workers' organizations, and knowledge partners to deliberate on key labour, employment and social security issues shaping the future of work.
Union Minister for Labour and Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya held bilateral meetings with counterparts from Indonesia, Iran, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and the International Social Security Association (ISSA). The leaders discussed harnessing digital solutions to make labour markets more inclusive and efficient, with India highlighting its e-Shram and National Career Service (NCS) portals as pioneering Digital Public Infrastructures driving social protection, employment services and international labour mobility.
With UAE Minister Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, discussions focused on strengthening labour mobility and India's progress in Digital Public Infrastructure, with UAE invited to participate in the India-ILO feasibility study for development of International Reference Classification of Occupations. With Russian Minister Mr. Anton Kotyakov, discussions centered on enhancing India-Russia engagement through policy dialogue, skill development cooperation, and sharing digital solutions for labour market governance, including exploring the possibility of signing a Social Security Agreement between the two countries.
With Indonesian Minister Mr. Yassierli, the meeting focused on expanding cooperation in employment, workforce development, and digital public infrastructure, with India offering to share its experience in developing Digital Public Goods. With Iranian Minister H.E. Dr. Ahmad Meidari, opportunities to deepen cooperation in employment, labour administration, and digital transformation were reviewed, with India sharing its DPI experience.
With ISSA's Dr. Mohammed Azman, discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in advancing social security systems and exchanging global best practices. India acknowledged the ISSA Award conferred in recognition of its outstanding achievements in expanding social security coverage in 2025, and highlighted that India's social security coverage has now crossed one billion (1,000 million) people in 2026.
In parallel bilateral meetings held by Union Minister of State Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, with Brazilian Vice Minister H.E. Mr. Francisco Macena da Silva, discussions focused on strengthening the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership through cooperation in skills development, digital employment services, labour market information systems, and social protection. With Chinese Vice Minister H.E. Mr. Yu Jiadong, discussions centred on enhancing cooperation in future skills, digital employment services, labour market governance, and social protection, with acknowledgement of India's initiatives to promote women's workforce participation and strengthen digital public infrastructure.
The meeting concluded with the successful adoption of the Declaration and the launch of BRICS CONNECT as a platform for advancing practical cooperation, exchange of best practices, and developing inclusive, resilient, and future-ready labour markets, with a shared resolve to promote social justice, decent employment, innovation, resilience, and inclusive development.