India Advocates for Global Social Security Portability and Gig Worker Rights at 114th ILO Conference

At the 114th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) held in Geneva, India took a proactive stance by advocating for a global framework on the portability of social security benefits. Representing one of the world's largest labor exporters, the Indian delegation emphasized that migrant workers often lose their accumulated social security contributions when moving across borders due to a lack of bilateral or multilateral agreements. A global portability standard would ensure that workers can access their pensions and healthcare benefits regardless of their geographical location, thereby enhancing the dignity of labor and economic security for the global diaspora. Furthermore, India highlighted the urgent need for international labor standards tailored to the 'Gig and Platform Economy.' As digital platforms redefine traditional employer-employee relationships, India argued that the current international legal architecture is insufficient to protect the rights of platform workers. The delegation called for a consensus on defining the rights of these workers, including fair wages, occupational safety, and social protection, reflecting the shifts brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.