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Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India must adapt to rapidly changing work landscape, says International Labour Organisation Director
Employment patterns continue to shift dramatically, according to Michiko Miyamoto , Director of the International Labour Organisation ( ILO ) DWT for South Asia and Country Office for India. Speaking to on the sidelines of the 3rd Global Industrial Relations Summit organised by FICCI-AIOE in collaboration with ILO and IOE Geneva, Miyamoto highlighted the critical need for adaptive strategies in India's evolving employment landscape. Addressing concerns about artificial intelligence's impact on employment, Miyamoto acknowledged that AI is "definitely affecting our jobs and will continue to affect our jobs." However, she emphasised the importance of understanding which occupations and demographic groups face greater risks. "We already know that female employment is more likely to be affected in many countries," Miyamoto observed, pointing to gender-specific vulnerabilities in the AI transition. The ILO director stressed that protecting workers requires "a platform of conversation and agreed strategy between industry, workers, and supported by government." She identified social dialogue and industrial relations as key mechanisms for managing technological change. "The pace of change is so rapid; we have to have this continuous conversation all the time. That's the only way to ensure that work is protected and people benefit more than are negatively affected," she explained. With nearly 60% of the global workforce still engaged in the informal economy, Miyamoto highlighted the urgent need for formalisation and social protection extension. She acknowledged that transitioning from informal to formal economy represents a complex challenge that "everyone knows is not an easy path." "Meanwhile, what can we do to protect people working in the informal economy? The main thing we can do immediately is provide social protection," she stated. Praising India's social protection initiatives, Miyamoto specifically mentioned the e-Shram scheme as a positive step. "It's good to have a pathway for informal economy workforce to be registered so they are connected to existing social protection schemes. That is absolutely important," she noted. The director emphasised that many workers remain unaware of available schemes, making awareness and connectivity crucial components of protection strategies. Miyamoto identified skills development as fundamental to India's employment strategy, particularly given rapidly changing job requirements. She called for stronger connections between industry and education systems to ensure training programs deliver immediately employable skills. "There's basic education - we need to continue and increase the quality of it. At the same time, job requirements are changing so quickly. The trick is connecting industry and education systems closer and closer, so training systems offer skills that are employable to industry straight away," she explained. Discussing global economic uncertainties, including potential impacts from US trade policies under President Donald Trump, Miyamoto advocated for robust domestic economic strategies. "We're living in a very uncertain world. We don't know how global policy will affect your economy today, tomorrow, next week," she observed. "In that environment, we need really good country strategy." She praised India's focus on building strong domestic economic foundations, arguing that "if people in the economy are strong, then that's the most reliable source of a country's economy."
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Technology won't replace workforce, assures Labour Minister Mandaviya
Union Minister for Labour & Employment Mansukh Mandaviya assured stakeholders that artificial intelligence and emerging technologies pose no threat to India's workforce, emphasising that human operators will remain indispensable in the digital at the 3rd Global Industrial Relations Summit organised by FICCI-AIOE in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Organisation of Employers (IOE) in Geneva, Mandviya dismissed concerns about technology-driven job displacement."AI and technology cannot replace manpower or workforce. There is absolutely no threat to workforce or jobs due to technology or AI as technology will be operated by human only," the minister declared during his address to the international gathering of industry leaders and policymakers. Mandaviya's remarks come amid growing global concerns about automation potentially rendering millions of jobs obsolete across various sectors. However, the minister maintained an optimistic outlook, arguing that technological advancement will create new opportunities rather than eliminate existing ones. "Even after the emergence of AI or technology, the requirement for workforce or manpower will always be there because the technology will be operated by humans only," he reiterated, highlighting the complementary relationship between human skills and technological capabilities. Dr Mandaviya further stated that industries need to change with time and adopt new developments. The government, he added, is taking a holistic approach to ensure economic growth along with new employment generation. Speaking on the new Employment Linked Incentive scheme , the Minister said that the government launched the scheme to ensure new jobs. "It is a long-term plan, and India needs to establish its own parameters to meet global parameters. From 1st August, the scheme will be rolled out," he added. Roberto Suarez Santos, Secretary General of the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) in Geneva, acknowledged the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on modern workplaces. "AI and digitalisation are already transforming how we work, how we live, and how we govern. And one thing is clear: they are here to stay," he observed. Santos pointed to the expanding role of AI in human resources and management decisions, noting that "across industries, AI is now being integrated to support decision-making processes that directly affect people's lives. It can screen job applicants and evaluate employee performance." His comments underscore the rapid integration of AI tools in workplace management, from recruitment processes to performance evaluation systems, suggesting a fundamental shift in how organisations operate. FICCI Director General Jyoti Vij emphasised the need for industrial relations frameworks to adapt to changing work dynamics. "As we navigate unprecedented shifts in how, where and why work is done, industrial relations must evolve from a compliance-based approach towards a strategic enabler of competitiveness, social justice and long-term sustainability," she stated. (ANI)
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Technology won't replace workforce, assures Labour Minister Mandaviya
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Union Minister for Labour & Employment Mansukh Mandaviya assured stakeholders that artificial intelligence and emerging technologies pose no threat to India's workforce, emphasising that human operators will remain indispensable in the digital at the 3rd Global Industrial Relations Summit organised by FICCI-AIOE in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Organisation of Employers (IOE) in Geneva, Mandviya dismissed concerns about technology-driven job displacement."AI and technology cannot replace manpower or workforce. There is absolutely no threat to workforce or jobs due to technology or AI as technology will be operated by human only," the minister declared during his address to the international gathering of industry leaders and remarks come amid growing global concerns about automation potentially rendering millions of jobs obsolete across various sectors. However, the minister maintained an optimistic outlook, arguing that technological advancement will create new opportunities rather than eliminate existing ones."Even after the emergence of AI or technology, the requirement for workforce or manpower will always be there because the technology will be operated by humans only," he reiterated, highlighting the complementary relationship between human skills and technological Mandaviya further stated that industries need to change with time and adopt new developments. The government, he added, is taking a holistic approach to ensure economic growth along with new employment generation. Speaking on the new Employment Linked Incentive scheme , the Minister said that the government launched the scheme to ensure new jobs."It is a long-term plan, and India needs to establish its own parameters to meet global parameters. From 1st August, the scheme will be rolled out," he Suarez Santos, Secretary General of the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) in Geneva, acknowledged the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on modern workplaces. "AI and digitalisation are already transforming how we work, how we live, and how we govern. And one thing is clear: they are here to stay," he pointed to the expanding role of AI in human resources and management decisions, noting that "across industries, AI is now being integrated to support decision-making processes that directly affect people's lives. It can screen job applicants and evaluate employee performance."His comments underscore the rapid integration of AI tools in workplace management, from recruitment processes to performance evaluation systems, suggesting a fundamental shift in how organisations Director General Jyoti Vij emphasised the need for industrial relations frameworks to adapt to changing work dynamics. "As we navigate unprecedented shifts in how, where and why work is done, industrial relations must evolve from a compliance-based approach towards a strategic enabler of competitiveness, social justice and long-term sustainability," she stated. (ANI)
