Aiming to come up with a collective response to the government and employers' push for labour market reforms for increased employment and productivity, an international seminar of trade unionists got underway in New Delhi on Wednesday.
"The idea is to make sure that the (trade) unions, their voice is heard. Because we certainly have an answer. We think that the labour market reforms doesn't mean to weaken labour market institutions.
"But instead go back to the strengthening of the labour administration, the representation of workers rights and the social dialogue that should be established between employers and workers in order to make sure that there is a gain for everybody. A win-win situation for both employers and workers in the growth the (Asia) continent is experiencing," said Anna Biondi, Secretary, Workers' Group, ILO-Governing Body.
The seminar, 'Labour Market Reforms: The Trade Union Response', of the International Labour Organisation is being attended by Trade Union representatives from 16 countries of Asia and the Pacific.
The main points of discussion at the three-day seminar include issues relating to labour market reforms, experience sharing to identify good practices in the Asian region to stimulate regional and sub-regional initiatives and commission research to establish a knowledge base network to reinforce the sharing of knowledge and experience in the region to advance 'Decent Work Decade'.
The ILO launched 'Asian Decent Work Decade' as part of the conclusions of its 14th Asian Regional Meeting in August last year, with the objective of "realising decent work in Asia". The seminar is part of the events planned as a follow-up to the conclusions.
© 2026