The International Labour Organisation (ILO) released its Social Dialogue Report on December 11, 2024. This report emphasises the importance of social dialogue in promoting workers’ rights and collective bargaining. It marks a concerning decline in compliance with fundamental rights at work. The report specifically notes a 7% drop in these rights between 2015 and 2022. This decline is attributed to increased violations of civil liberties and bargaining rights for both employers and workers.
About Peak-Level Social Dialogue (PLSD)
Peak-Level Social Dialogue (PLSD) involves structured interactions among governments, employers, and workers’ organisations. These interactions focus on negotiating and consulting on labour, economic, and social policies. PLSD can be bipartite, involving only social partners, or tripartite, which includes government representatives. The report advocates for enhancing the technical capacities of labour administrations and social partners to ensure effective participation in PLSD.
Recommendations for National Social Dialogue Institutions (NSDIs)
The report urges NSDIs to broaden their outreach to under-represented groups. It stresses the need for regular evaluations of PLSD institutions. These evaluations should assess their influence on socio-economic decision-making. The aim is to ensure fair representation and inclusivity in dialogue processes.
Impact of Economic and Geopolitical Instability
The ILO report is released in a context of economic and geopolitical instability. Technological advancements, climate change, and demographic shifts are reshaping labour markets. In this complex environment, social dialogue is presented as a governance model. It aims to navigate challenges and promote social justice.
Case Study – Rajasthan’s Gig Workers Bill
The report includes a case study from Rajasthan. It discusses the Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill. This legislation established the Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers Welfare Board. The board consists of 12 members, including six from the government and two representatives each from gig workers, aggregators, and civil society. This initiative aims to enhance the welfare of gig workers.
Importance of Fair Solutions
The report puts stress on that social dialogue can lead to fair solutions. It facilitates cooperation among social partners to address pressing issues. The ILO argues that such dialogue is crucial for achieving economic development and social progress. It is essential for ensuring inclusive transitions to low-carbon and digital economies.
Future Directions
The report calls for increased attention to the role of social dialogue in shaping labour policies. It encourages countries to invest in the resources needed for effective dialogue. This investment is seen as vital for upholding workers’ rights and promoting social equity.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically analyse the role of social dialogue in promoting workers’ rights in the context of globalisation.
- Explain the impact of technological advancements on labour markets and the need for social dialogue.
- What are the key features of the Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers Welfare Board? Discuss its significance.
- With suitable examples, comment on the challenges faced by National Social Dialogue Institutions in ensuring inclusivity.
Answer Hints:
1. Critically analyse the role of social dialogue in promoting workers’ rights in the context of globalisation.
- Social dialogue facilitates negotiation between governments, employers, and workers, ensuring collective bargaining rights.
- It addresses the challenges posed by globalisation, such as wage disparities and labor exploitation across borders.
- Effective social dialogue can lead to improved labor standards and protections, promoting fair competition globally.
- Globalisation often undermines local labor rights; social dialogue can counteract this by reinforcing local regulations.
- Inclusion of diverse stakeholders in dialogue processes enhances the representation and protection of marginalized worker groups.
2. Explain the impact of technological advancements on labour markets and the need for social dialogue.
- Technological advancements lead to job displacement, requiring reskilling and upskilling of the workforce.
- Automation and digitalization create new job categories, necessitating dialogue to adapt labor policies accordingly.
- Social dialogue can facilitate discussions on fair wages and working conditions in emerging tech-driven sectors.
- It helps address issues of inequality and job security arising from rapid technological changes.
- Collaboration among social partners is essential to ensure that technological progress benefits all workers.
3. What are the key features of the Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers Welfare Board? Discuss its significance.
- The board consists of 12 members, including government representatives and gig worker advocates.
- It aims to ensure the welfare and rights of gig workers through structured representation.
- Establishment of the board signifies recognition of gig workers as a distinct labor category needing protection.
- It facilitates access to social security benefits and support systems for gig workers.
- This initiative serves as a model for other regions to address the needs of gig economy workers effectively.
4. With suitable examples, comment on the challenges faced by National Social Dialogue Institutions in ensuring inclusivity.
- NSDIs often struggle to engage under-represented groups, such as informal sector workers and marginalized communities.
- Limited resources and capacity hinder effective outreach and participation in dialogue processes.
- For instance, in many countries, women and minority workers are often excluded from decision-making forums.
- Language barriers and lack of awareness about rights can prevent effective participation of certain groups.
- Case studies show that without targeted efforts, NSDIs may reinforce existing inequalities rather than address them.
