BRICS to Focus on Employment and Welfare in Upcoming Meeting
The Second Employment Working Group Meeting under India’s BRICS Presidency 2026 is set to take place in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, from May 6 to 7, 2026. This significant gathering will convene representatives from BRICS Member States, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates, to address critical issues related to labor, employment, and worker welfare.
Advancing Discussions from the First Meeting
This in-person meeting aims to build upon the productive discussions initiated during the First Employment Working Group (EWG) Meeting, which was held virtually on March 16 and 17, 2026. Participants will work to refine the proposed priorities and deliverables under India’s presidency, facilitating deeper exchanges on practical policy strategies, shared national experiences, and collaboration across the four identified themes of the BRICS Employment Working Group.
Key Focus Areas for Discussion
The agenda for the Second EWG Meeting emphasizes the enhancement of social security systems and the acceleration of labor market formalization. Member States will deliberate on how digital public infrastructure, portable social security mechanisms, and interoperable digital solutions can improve access to social protection and welfare benefits, specifically for workers across various employment formats.
Another pivotal area of discussion will be promoting women’s participation and inclusion in the workforce. Attendees will have the chance to exchange successful policy measures that support women’s employment, boost workplace engagement, and dismantle barriers hindering full inclusion, thus fostering decent work opportunities for women across diverse sectors.
Addressing Skills Development and Employability
The meeting will further examine collaboration in employability, skills mapping, and skills development. As the nature of work evolves, the focus will shift to advancing digital skills, identifying emerging labor market needs, and enhancing the alignment between workforce capabilities and market requirements among BRICS nations.
Moreover, discussions will explore how digital technologies can be utilized to provide essential services, protections, and opportunities to all workers, including those in gig and platform roles. This encompasses the implementation of technology-driven systems for worker registration, benefit delivery, skills enhancement, and improved labor market information.
Collaboration with International Partners
The meeting will feature participation from key international knowledge partners, including the International Labour Organization, the International Social Security Association, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office. These entities are expected to bring valuable technical insights and global perspectives to the discussions, enriching the exchange of ideas on employment, welfare, and the future of work.
Looking Ahead
Following the successful outcomes of the First EWG Meeting, this second gathering will provide a structured platform for fine-tuning priority areas and discussing proposed deliverables in detail. The anticipated outcomes will be brought forward to the Third EWG Meeting and laid out for endorsement at the forthcoming BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting scheduled for July 2026.
The active involvement of BRICS Member States and knowledge partners in this meeting is expected to yield coherent and beneficial outcomes that promote the overall well-being of workers and enhance employment frameworks across the member nations.
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