India seeks more presence at decision-making level of ILO

India has made a case before the International Labour Organisation to increase its representation at decision-making level of the international body, seeking a revision in its assessment criteria to make it more equitable.

A senior government official told ET that India has suggested inclusion of population and labour workforce of the country in the ILO's assessment criteria for determining a desirable range for a country's representation, so that it is more equitable going forward.

"Given India's demographic dividend, which is well placed to meet the global demand-supply gap, it will be strategic for ILO in its approach towards global workforce to have more Indians at decision-making level," India told ILO.

At present, the desirable range of a country's representation in ILO is based on membership and assessed budgetary contribution of the member state or country, taking into account the country's share of the global gross national income. India, which had taken up this issue at the General Assembly meeting in March, is expected to push for this at the International Labour Conference (ILC) scheduled in June. "We will again take up this issue with DG ILO and other senior ILO officials during ILC scheduled for June," the official said.

India is of the view that inclusion of important factors like population and labour workforce in scale of assessment would align contributions with the ILO's core focus on labour-related issues.