Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Singapore Declaration

Mains level: Labour reform

CONTEXT: The 17th Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) set ten-point priorities of national action under the Singapore Declaration.

Singapore Declaration

It seeks to draw attention for the member countries to deal with the issue of dwindling wages of workers, inflation and unemployment.
It was adopted by the delegates representing governments, employers and workers’ governments, employers and workers in the regions.
Members agreed that social dialogue is essential to address labour market challenges and finding solutions in crisis situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and economic uncertainty.

Key point priorities

Ensure labour protection for all through the promotion of freedom of association
Recognition of the right to collective bargaining, including for workers in vulnerable situations and workers in the informal economy, as enabling rights for decent work
Closing gender gaps, increase women’s labour force participation, promote equal pay for work of equal value, balance work and responsibilities, and promoting women’s leadership.
Develop and implement inclusive labour market programmes and policies that support life transitions and demographic shifts.
Pursue collective and determined efforts to promote and accelerate a smooth and sustained transition from the informal to formal economy
Strengthen governance frameworks and respect for freedom of association for migrant workers
Strengthen the foundation for social and employment protection and resilience
Expanding social protection to all workers, guaranteeing universal access to comprehensive, adequate and sustainable social protection for all