India and Brazil Strengthen Labour Ties at BRICS Meeting in Hyderabad

India, Brazil agree to cooperate on digital labour platforms, skills, social protection: Union minister Shobha Karandlaje

Hyderabad, July 16

Union Minister for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje held talks with Brazil's Vice Minister of Labour and Employment, Francisco Macena da Silva, during which the two sides discussed cooperation in skills development, digital employment services, social protection and women's workforce participation.

During the meeting, the Indian side shared details of the country's Digital Public Infrastructure for labour, including the National Career Service Portal and the e-Shram Portal, described as the world's largest database of informal sector workers.

The e-Shram portal has registered more than 315 million informal sector workers and links them to benefits under various government schemes.

Brazil appreciated the success of the e-Shram portal and expressed interest in technical-level cooperation to study and learn from India's digital model.

India also shared progress on the International Reference Classification of Occupations study and its labour reforms, under which 29 labour laws have been consolidated into four Labour Codes.

Officials said social protection coverage in India has increased from 64.3 per cent in 2025 to around 68 per cent.

Both countries also agreed to advance BRICS CONNECT -- the BRICS Cooperation Network for Capacity Building, Employability, and New Skills and Technologies -- through knowledge sharing and capacity-building initiatives for mutual benefit.

The bilateral meeting was held as part of India's BRICS Chairship 2026.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandviya chaired the Ministerial Session, which was attended by Labour Ministers and delegates from all BRICS member states. The discussions centred on the future of work and emerging challenges in the global job market.

The Ministers adopted the Labour and Employment Ministers' Declaration, reaffirming a shared commitment to resilient, inclusive and future-ready labour markets.

The declaration reached consensus on key areas including social security and formalisation, increasing women's workforce participation, employability and skills development, and the use of digital technologies for all workers, including gig and platform workers.

— ANI