353rd Governing Body Meeting of ILO in Geneva

Current Context: The 353rd Governing Body Meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) took place from March 10 to March 20, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland.

• The meeting was chaired by Gilbert F. Houngbo, the Director-General of the ILO.
• It brought together ILO's tripartite constituents, including representatives from governments, workers, and employers, to discuss global labour issues and governance.
• The aim of the meeting was to address key global labour issues such as enhancing social protection, fostering well-managed labour migration pathways, promoting living wages, addressing the future of work, and encouraging responsible business practices.
• India's delegation was led by Sumita Dawra, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
• India actively participated by showcasing its achievements in labour welfare, such as doubling social protection coverage to 48.8% and highlighting flagship schemes like EPFO, ESIC, and PM Jan Arogya Yojana.
• India also supported the UN-led Second World Summit for Social Development and emphasized global cooperation on migrant worker rights, living wages, and responsible business conduct.

Key Highlights:

• Discussions on social protection, labour migration, and the future of work.
• India's advocacy for well-managed migration pathways and social security agreements.
• India's collaboration with ILO on initiatives like living wages and AI for a socially just future of work.
• Bilateral talks with ILO leaders to strengthen global labour welfare efforts.

Question:

Q.1 Where was the 353rd Governing Body Meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) held?
a) Geneva, Switzerland
b) New York, USA
c) Paris, France
d) Vienna, Austria

Answer: a) The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The 353rd Governing Body Meeting took place there from March 10 to March 20, 2025.