Current Affairs Reverse Engineering – CARE (11-06-2024)
| News at a Glance |
| Art and Culture: Birsa Munda’s 124th death anniversary: Significance of the tribal leader’s contributions |
| National: Cabinet committees in focus |
| International Relations: BRICS calls for enhanced use of local currencies in trade between member countries |
| About French territory of New Caledonia |
| Indian tripartite delegation at the 112th session of International Labour Conference (ILC) |
| Environment and Ecology: UN Report finds countries far from reducing deforestation, have no concrete plans |
Birsa Munda’s 124th death anniversary: Significance of the tribal leader’s contributions
Source: Indian Express
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 1 Art and Culture, Important personalities
Context: Birsa Munda, Tribal movement
Why in News
- Marking the 124th death anniversary of revolutionary tribal leader Birsa Munda, Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren paid his tributes on June 9.
About Birsa Munda
- Birsa Munda was born on November 15, 1875, at a time when his community was witnessing major changes.
- He was a leader leading for the rights and independence of his people. Birsa’s teachings focused on a single god, a return to traditional Munda practices, and resistance against British oppression, inspired tribal communities.
- Birsa Munda was a young freedom fighter and leader of the tribal community, whose spirit of activism in the late nineteenth century became popular.
- Birsa Munda belongs to Munda tribe was born on 15th November 1875 in Jharkhand India. Birsa started a movement called ‘Ulgulan’, or ‘The Great Tumult’.
- During that time, people call him “Dharti Abba“, which means “Father of the Earth“.
- He gathered a large religious movement against the British missionaries and their conversion activities.
Birsait Sect:
- Having gained awareness of the British colonial ruler and the efforts of the missionaries to convert tribals to Christianity, Birsa started the faith of ‘Birsait’.
- Members of the Munda and Oraon community joined the Birsait sect and it turned into a challenge to British conversion activities.
- Further, he urged the Mundas to give up drinking liquor, clean their village, and stop believing in witchcraft and sorcery.
‘Dharti ka Abba’, bhagwaan Birsa
- Birsa Munda spent much of his childhood moving from one village to another with his parents.
- He completed his primary education at Salga under the guidance of his teacher Jaipal Nag. Birsa converted to Christianity on Nag’s recommendation to join the German Mission school, but opted out of the school in a few years.
- The impact of British rule, as well as the heightened activities of the Christian missionaries in the area, made many tribals cynical about the presence of the dikus.
Background of Rebellion
- The Mundas, a tribe of nomadic-hunters-turned-farmers who lived in the Chotanagpur region in today’s Jharkhand, had to bear the brunt of a series of adverse policies and events.
- Before colonial rule, the prevalent system of land ownership here was known as “khuntkatti”.
- It was based on the principle of customary rights, without the involvement of landlords.
- However, the enactment of the Permanent Settlement Act (1793) led to a transformation and helped colonialism make its inroads in rural India.
- To maximise its revenue, the East India Company relied on the law to ratify the zamindari system for land revenue collection.
- This created dual classes — of land-owning zamindars who were viewed as outsiders or “dikus” by the indigenous residents, and the “ryots” or tenants.
- The Act allowed the dikus to claim ownership rights using a deed which specified a precise area.
- This displaced the indigenous dwellers and denied them access to the land they had cultivated for generations.
- Compounding the problem for the community was a range of other debilitating policies, including the exploitation of tribal people through the “begar” system of forced labour, the forced dependence on money-lenders for credit and the replacement of traditional clan councils with courts.
- To cap it all, the onset of famines in 1896-97 and 1899-1900 resulted in mass starvation.
- Munda spent most of his time between 1886 and 1890 in Chaibasa, close to the centre of the Sardari agitation. Aimed against British rule, it was peaceful in its nature led by the Oraon and Munda tribes.
- This inspired him to join the anti-missionary and anti-colonial cause.
- By the time he left Chaibasa in 1890, Birsa was strongly entrenched in the movement against the British oppression of the tribal communities.
Ulgulan movement
- Birsa Munda launched the Ulgulan movement in 1899, using weapons and guerrilla warfare to drive out foreigners.
- He encouraged the tribals to follow the Birsa Raj and to not comply with colonial laws and rent payments.
- However, the British were soon able to halt the movement through the superior strength of their forces.
- On March 3, 1900, Munda was arrested by the British police while he was sleeping along with his tribal guerilla army at the Jamkopai forest in Chakradharpur.
- It is believed he died in Ranchi Jail due to an illness on June 9, 1900, at the young age of 25.
- Though he lived a short life and the movement died out soon after him, Birsa Munda’s mobilisation of the tribal community for protecting their land rights was remarkable, being one of the earliest such attempts.
- The movement also contributed to the government’s repeal of the begar system, and led to the Tenancy Act (1903) which recognised the khuntkhatti system.
- The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908) later banned the passage of tribal land to non-tribal folks.
What was the role Birsa Munda played?
- Munda received his early education under the guidance of his teacher Jaipal Nag.
- Influenced by him, Birsa converted to Christianity in order to join the German Mission school.
- He, however, opted out of the school after a few years.
- With the impact of British rule in the region, as well as the activities of Christian missionaries, many tribals became critical of the British and missionaries’ presence.
- From 1886 to 1890, Birsa Munda spent a large amount of time in Chaibasa, which was close to the centre of the Sardari agitation.
- The Sardars’ activities had a strong impact on him and he became a part of the anti-missionary and anti-government programmes.
- By the time he left Chaibasa in 1890, Birsa was strongly entrenched in the movement against the British oppression of the tribal communities.
- Birsa soon emerged as a tribal leader who brought people together on fighting for these issues. He became a God-like figure, with him leading the faith of ‘Birsait’.
- Soon, members of the Munda and Oraon communities started joining the Birsait sect and it turned into a challenge to British conversion activities.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q1. Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?
Select correct code (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
Q. With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events? (2020)
Answer: (D) |
| Answer 1- C
Explanation
|
Cabinet committees in focus
Source: Indian Express
UPSC Relevance: GS 2- Cabinet form of government, Polity and Governance
Context: The Prime Minister sets up Cabinet committees with selected members of the Cabinet and assigns specific functions to these committees
Why in News
- PM Narendra Modi has retained his core team, leaving the Cabinet Committee on Security, comprising the ministries of home, defence, finance and external affairs, unchanged.
What are the Cabinet committees?
- Cabinet committees in India are groups of ministers formed by the Prime Minister to handle specific tasks or issues more efficiently.
- The PM sets up these committees with selected members of the Cabinet and assigns specific functions to these committees.
- The PM may change the number of committees, and modify the functions assigned to them.
- Usually, only Cabinet ministers are members of these committees. However, non-Cabinet ministers are not unheard of to be members or special invitees to committees.
- If the PM himself is a member of any such committee, he acts as the head of that committee.
- The committees on investment and employment were innovations introduced by the Modi government in 2019.
- All committees except the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation and Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs are headed by the PM.
Types of Cabinet Committees
- There are 8 Cabinet committees at present —
- Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (composed of the PM (ex-officio Chairman) and the Minister of Home Affairs),
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (headed by the PM himself),
- Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (headed by the PM),
- Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth,
- Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs,
- Cabinet Committee on Employment & Skill Development,
- Cabinet Committee on Accommodation, and
- Cabinet Committee on Security.
- The Committees on Investment and Employment were innovations introduced in 2019 by the Modi government.
Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)
- The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is a high-level government committee in India responsible for addressing issues related to national security and strategic matters.
- It is one of the most important committees in the Indian government and is chaired by the Prime Minister of India.
- The CCS is composed of key ministers and senior officials from relevant ministries and departments.
- Key responsibilities of the Cabinet Committee on Security include:
- Formulating policies and strategies related to national security, defense, and foreign affairs.
- Making decisions on defense acquisitions, including major weapons systems and defense procurement projects.
- Approving defense budgets and expenditure related to defense and security.
- Reviewing and analyzing intelligence reports and assessments on security threats and challenges.
- Overseeing the implementation of national security measures and responses to security crises or emergencies.
- Coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies to ensure effective implementation of national security policies and measures.
- Providing strategic guidance and direction to the armed forces and security agencies.
Significance of CSS
- With the Prime Minister helming it, the CCS has the ministers for Finance, Defence, Home Affairs and External Affairs as its members.
- It is responsible for debates, discussions and appointments of/ in the national security bodies.
- Major decisions with respect to the significant appointments, issues of national security, defence expenditure of India are taken by CCS.
- Besides dealing with defence related issues, the CCS also brainstorms on issues relating to law and order and internal security, and policy matters concerning foreign affairs on security-related issues.
- It also considers matters relating to atomic energy.
- The great importance of the CCS is the reason why it is expected that the BJP will resist the pressure from allies, including from crucial ones such as TDP and JDU, to cede any of these important portfolios.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q2. Consider the following statements with regards to Cabinet Committees:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
|
Q. Out of the following statements, choose the one that brings out the principle underlying the Cabinet form of Government:(2017)
(a) An arrangement for minimizing criticism against the Government whose responsibilities are complex and hard to carry out to the satisfaction of all. (b) A mechanism for speeding up the activities of the Government whose responsibilities are increasing day by day. (c) A mechanism of parliamentary democracy for ensuring collective responsibility of the Government to the people. (d) A device for strengthening the hands of the head of the Government whose hold over the people is in a state of decline. Ans: C |
| Answer 2– B
Explanation –
explicitly mentioned in the Constitution of India. Instead, the creation and operation of Cabinet Committees are governed by the Rules of Business, which are framed by the President of India on the advice of the Council of Ministers. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
|
BRICS calls for enhanced use of local currencies in trade between member countries
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Relevance: GS 2- International Relations, GS 3- Economy
Context: Enhanced use of local currencies in trade between BRICS members.
Why in News
- The BRICS ministers of Foreign Affairs met in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod and held a plethora of discussions, including on the enhanced use of local currencies in trade and financial transactions between the BRICS countries.
India welcomes new members
- The meeting was the first ministerial meeting following BRICS expansion in 2023 when Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE joined Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa as full-fledged BRICS members.
- The Indian delegation was led by senior diplomat Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations), at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
- Since S. Jaishankar was reappointed as External Affairs Minister after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, he could not make it to Russia to attend the meeting.
Developing the New Development Bank
- The Ministers encouraged the New Development Bank to follow the member-led and demand-driven principle, employ innovative financing mechanisms to mobilise financing from diversified sources, enhance capacity building and knowledge exchange, including with knowledge sources from developing countries, assist member countries in achieving the SDGs and further improve efficiency and effectiveness to fulfil its mandate, aiming to be a premier multilateral development institution for EMDCs.
- They agreed to jointly develop the New Development Bank into a new type of Multilateral Development Bank of the 21st century and urged the Bank to execute its purpose and functions in accordance with the Agreement on the New Development Bank in a fair manner.
- The Ministers expressed their support to the further expansion of the NDB membership and early consideration of applications of BRICS Member countries as per the NDB approved policies.
- Moreover, the Ministers also expressed the intention to promote energy cooperation among the BRICS countries.
- They urged for resilient global supply chains to ensure universal access to affordable, accessible, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy sources.
Concern expressed for ongoing situations in Ukraine, West Asian regions
- The Ministers recalled their national positions concerning the situation in and around Ukraine as expressed in the appropriate fora, including the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly.
- They noted with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
- The Ministers expressed serious concern over continued conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and noted the Joint Statement by BRICS Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys at their meeting of April 25, 2024.
- Notably, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov opened the BRICS Ministerial with a minute of silence in memory of the deceased former Iran President Ebrahim Raisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
- He offered condolences to the people of Iran and the families of the victims.
- This is the first meeting of foreign ministers since the expansion of BRICS in 2023. The 10 full members of the association include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa with new members Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia joining the grouping in 2023.
- Russia took over the chairmanship of BRICS on January 1, 2024.
About BRICS
- In 2006, Brazil, Russia, India and China created the “BRIC” group. South Africa joined in 2010, making it “BRICS”.
- The group was designed to bring together the world’s most important developing countries, to challenge the political and economic power of the wealthier nations of North America and Western Europe.
- Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) become members with effect from 1 January 2024.
- A Saudi Arabian government minister said in mid-January it had not joined.
- The group sets priorities and makes decisions at an annual summit.
- Members take it in turns to serve as president for a year.
- The name for the expanded group has not yet been announced, but may be “Brics +”.
Why does BRICS matter?
- BRICS countries include major world powers, such as China and Russia, and countries which are influential on their continent, such as South Africa and Brazil.
- The expanded group has a combined population of about 3.5 billion, or 45% of the world’s inhabitants.
- Combined, members’ economies are worth more than $28.5tn – about 28% of the global economy.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC MCQ |
| Q3. Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: On 1 January 2024, BRICS admitted four new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Statement-II: After the BRICS group’s decision to open the door to new members at its Johannesburg summit it is called as BRICS+. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? [A] Both Statement-I and Statement-l are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I. [B] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-is not the correct explanation for Statement-l. [C] Statement-l is correct but Statement-II is incorrect. [D] Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-Il is correct. |
Q. Consider the following statements: (2016)
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ans: (b)
|
| Answer 3 A
Explanation
|
About French territory of New Caledonia
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS2- International Relations
Context: Electoral reforms in New Caledonia and Protests by Kanaks
Why in News
- On June 3, the Socialist Kanak National Liberation Front (FLNKS) of the south pacific French territory of New Caledonia called for French President Emmanuel Macron to abandon the plan to modify the electoral reform.
Background
- Widespread protests and riots erupted in New Caledonia in response to the French parliament’s decision to amend the voters’ list.
- The new amendment bill will pave the way for incorporating citizens who were either born or lived in the territory for at least 10 years.
Protests by Kanaks
- Kanaks, the indigenous community of the territory, opposed this on claims that it diluted their electoral power thus marginalising them.
- The Kanaks comprise 43% of the 1,45,000 population, while the European (French loyalists), Wallisians and Futunians comprise 37%.
- The new voting amendment will give majority to the loyalists undermining the Kanaks’ future towards decolonisation.
- This would also mean an alteration of the internal political environment towards French settlers.
History of the archipelago
- New Caledonia had Kanaks as the original inhabitants. France gained control of the territory in 1853 and governed the Kanaks with reservations.
- After the Second World War, colonial laws were abolished and the Kanaks were granted French citizenship.
- In the 1960s, increased migration from France turned the Kanaks into a minority in New Caledonia.
- Angered by their deteriorating socio-economic status and lack of economic and political involvement, an independence movement grew along with the emergence of the FLNKS in 1984.
- Thus, tensions soared between the Kanaks and loyalists between from 1984 to 1988 which ended with the signing of the Matignon agreements in 1988 and the Nouméa Accord in 1998 between the Kanaks and the French government.
- This allowed the transfer of powers from Paris to local authorities along with three referendums to decide the territory’s independence.
- The independence referendums held in 2018 and 2020 were in favour of France, and against an independent New Caledonia.
- Kanaks requested to postpone the third and final referendum due to COVID-19 in 2021, but the French disregarded the request.
- A lower turnout ensured a 96% result against an independent state. This infuriated the Kanaks who then opposed talks with the French government.
Why do Kanaks want independence?
- Post World War II, after the granting of French citizenship and transforming the French colonies into overseas territories, New Caledonia’s migration pattern increasingly reflected that, of what the Kanaks call, “settler colonialism.”
- Under this new model, social inequalities widened leading to the exploitation of the indigenous community.
- This was observed in the steel and nickel mining sectors, where indigenous people remained as labour while the non-indigenous people reaped economic and political benefits.
- And despite France’s promise to reverse social inequalities and better Kanaks’ political participation, the 2019 census showcased the poverty rate among Kanaks to be 32.5%, while only nine per cent of non-Kanaks experienced poverty.
- The scope of economic progress being stalled and the vote by the French Parliament to alter the electoral composition is seen as a move to end Kanak independence.
What is the French endgame?
- First, achieving tactical peace. More violence would mean an increased threat to overseas French citizens and a risk to Mr. Macron’s party’s reputation.
- Second, integration is key to France’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
- France considers itself an Indo-Pacific power through its overseas territories which combined makes it the second largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- Additionally, the large number of French citizens authenticates French governance.
- The Islands represent a strategic position for France in the Indo-Pacific, especially against China.
- Therefore, to seal its presence in these territories, integration becomes necessary which is difficult as Kanaks demand independence.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q4. Kanaks, the indigenous community recently in news is related to which of the following French territory?
|
Q. Which one of the following is a part of the Congo Basin? (2023)
(a) Cameroon (b) Nigeria (c) South Sudan (d) Uganda
Ans: a |
| Answer 4 A
Explanation
|
UN Report finds countries far from reducing deforestation, have no concrete plans
Source: Down To Earth
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 3- Environment and Ecology
Context: Raising ambition, accelerating action: Towards enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions for forests Reports Findings
Why in news
Global leaders committed to halt deforestation and reverse forest loss by 2030, as per the Forest Declaration Assessment 2023.
Key Highlights
- The document found that emissions from deforestation increased since the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use in 2021.
- The declaration seeks “to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and promoting an inclusive rural transformation”.
- The increase in global deforestation emissions was mostly attributed to Latin America and the Caribbean between 2019 and 2022.
- The report cited Brazil as an exception and exemplar as its annual decline in deforestation was 22 per cent recently.
All about NDCs
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). pledges made between 2017 and 2023 did not meet the global goals to halve and reverse deforestation for the said timeline of 2030, according to the report.
- Only eight of the 20 countries with the most tropical deforestation have set targets to reduce tree cover loss in their NDCs.
- The analysis highlighted Mexico as having included an adaptation target to achieve net zero by 2030. That is, the area reforested would match or exceed the deforested area.
- Other deforestation targets include Bolivia’s target to reduce deforestation by 80 per cent by 2030. Over half of this reduction is conditional on international support.
- Côte d’Ivoire has an unconditional target to reduce deforestation by 70 per cent (from 2015 levels) by 2030.
- Colombia’s NDC states that it will reduce deforestation to 50,000 hectares/year by 2030 and use co-operative approaches under the provisions of the 2015 Paris Agreement to reach net zero deforestation.
- It further added that the NDCs included different aspects of details regarding plans to achieve targets.
- Some countries provided a detailed breakdown of actions to be implemented.
- Brazil’s updated NDC does not contain any forest-related targets.
- But its multi-agency Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon (PPCDAm) does commit to end deforestation by 2030.
- Indonesia’s NDC does not have specific forest commitments.
- But the country’s Forest and Other Land Use (FOLU) Net Sink 2030 Operational Plan aims to achieve net zero emissions in forest and land use sectors by 2030, the analysis found.
- Commitments within the NDCs from the 20 countries with the highest emissions from tree cover loss are not enough to meet the goal, according to the analysis.
- These emissions are over four and a half times the collective emissions from international aviation and shipping.
Key recommendations of the Report
- The UN report noted that forests are essential as they offer ecosystem services like maintaining water quality, providing habitat for pollinators and resources for communities.
- It observed that forests also act as much-needed carbon sinks that contribute in mitigating climate change.
- The main reasons for deforestation were agriculture due to the international demand for commodities like oil palm, soybean and beef.
- The document called for strengthening, enhancing and aligning forest-based measures mentioned in NDCs and clearly defined national policies.
- It demanded that developed and forest countries work in tandem to achieve internationally set goals.
- It also recommended that forest carbon prices be increased by $30-50 / tonne of CO2 emissions in the carbon market.
- The report noted that participation of local communities and indigenous people and recognition of their forest land and carbon rights can play an effective role in protecting forests.
- Improved enforcement of existing laws through intensified raids on illegal activities occurring on Indigenous lands (Agência Brasileira de Inteligência 2023; Ministério dos Povos Indígenas 2023) has contributed to the successful reduction in deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon in 2023.
- The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Brazil next year is a global milestone for ambition on forest protection, according to the report.
- As countries prepare for the submission of the next round of NDCs for COP30 — known as NDCs 3.0, with a timeframe extending to 2035 — the report urges countries, especially those with extensive forest cover, to include concrete, measurable targets on forests in their revised NDCs.
What is Deforestation?
-
- Deforestation is the purposeful clearing of forested land.
- Throughout history and into modern times, forests have been razed to make space for agriculture and animal grazing, and to obtain wood for fuel, manufacturing, and construction.
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- Deforestation has greatly altered landscapes around the world. Deforestation is the permanent removal of trees to make room for something besides forest.
- This can include clearing the land for agriculture or grazing, or using the timber for fuel, construction or manufacturing.
- Effect:
-
- Deforestation in tropical regions can also affect the way water vapor is produced over the canopy, which causes reduced rainfall.
- Deforestation not only removes vegetation that is important for removing carbon dioxide from the air, but the act of clearing the forests also produces greenhouse gas emissions.
- It is also causing loss of biodiversity and animal life.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q5. Which of the following is/are Correct?
Select the correct answer using the code given below A. 2 and 3 only B. 1 and 2 only C. 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3 |
Q. In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following? (2014)
1. Terrace cultivation 2. Deforestation 3. Tropical climate Select the correct answer using the code given below (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans: (b) |
| Answer 5 B
Explanation
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Indian tripartite delegation at the 112th session of International Labour Conference
Source: PIB
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2023805
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 2- International Relations
Context: 112th session of International Labour Conference (ILC) of ILO.
Why in news
- Indian tripartite delegation comprising of representatives from workers, employers and the Government is participating in the ongoing 112th session of International Labour Conference (ILC) of ILO.
Key Highlights
- The Indian tripartite delegation led by Secretary (Labour & Employment), Ms. Sumita Dawra, participated in the 112th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) of International Labour Organisation (ILO) being held in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Head of the Delegation, Ms. Sumita Dawra, Secretary (L&E) addressed the ILC during the Plenary session on “Towards a renewed social contract”, and highlighted the major initiatives of the Government of India towards implementing labour reforms, enhancing social security coverage, providing social security to all, particularly, informal sector workers, promoting female labour force participation and efforts made towards identifying and promoting new employment opportunities.
- Secretary (L&E) also held bilateral meetings with Director General (DG), ILO, Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, and with Deputy Director General (DDG), ILO, Ms. Celeste Drake, to discuss the issues of further collaboration with ILO.
Significance
- The opportunity was used by India in the first week to highlight Government of India’s labour reforms, social security provisions and other new initiatives on the anvil.
- Bilateral meetings were held on focus areas such as global skills’ gap mapping, international migration of workers, future of work etc.
- India made interventions in the Plenary session and other Committees of ILC on various agenda items.
- The focus areas of global skills gap mapping, including feasibility study by ILO and OECD on international reference classification of occupations based on skills and qualifications, universal social security, future of work including green jobs, orderly international migration of skilled workers, opportunities for employment generation etc. were discussed.
- India will continue to strengthen its work with ILO in view of emerging technologies and digitalization in the future of work.
Focus on care Sector
- Recognizing the importance of the care sector, which is highly labor-intensive in nature, the Indian delegation highlighted the Government’s initiatives taken in the care sector, in the form of access to clean cooking fuel under ‘Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)’ to reduce the daily care burden of women, maternity benefits, health care including geriatric care, skilling programs and initiatives in care-work, social security benefits etc.
- The importance of care sector and its potential to boost the gross domestic product (GDP) was also highlighted.
Right to Work
- During the discussion in the session on ‘Fundamental principles and Rights at work’, the Indian delegation highlighted the path-breaking labour reforms and the initiatives of Government to promote fundamental principles and rights at work in terms of elimination of discrimination at workplace, elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, effective abolition of child labour, adequate safety and health protection to all workers, enhanced social security coverage etc.
- India’s commitment towards ensuring social well-being of its citizens and providing them with essential safety nets through diverse range of in-kind social protection measures such as free housing, food security, subsidized cooking gas, cash transfers through ‘Jan Dhan Yojana’, agricultural crop insurance scheme etc. were also highlighted.
Decent Work Country Program (DWCP)
- The delegation also highlighted the launch of fourth Decent Work Country Program (DWCP) by ILO and its constituents for the period 2023-27.
- It identified a set of decent work priorities and outcomes for implementation in the country with focus on promotion of fundamental principles and rights at work, strengthening of labour market information system for gender inclusive job creation, sustainable and resilient skills and lifelong learning system, development of inclusive framework for achieving social protection for all.
Success of e-shram’ portal
- Ministry of Labour and Employment and Permanent Mission of India (PMI) at Geneva showcased the success of ‘e-shram’ portal as a one-stop solution for all the needs of the informal workers, to an international audience, in an event on 4th June, 2024 hosted at the sidelines of ILC.
- The event was attended by the Heads of the Delegations of the 112th ILC and the Permanent Representatives and other delegates from ILO Member States apart from the Members of Tripartite Delegation comprising of Workers and Employers representatives.
- The e-shram portal was show-cased as an international best practice to create database of unorganized sector labour, for their access to various social security programmes.
- The portal’s link with the ‘National Career Service (NCS)’ portal,
- providing job-matching and other employment related services;
- to the Skill-India portal providing skill development programs;
- to the national portal of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and other such portals, so as to provide one-stop solution to the youth, job-seekers and workers in the country, was also highlighted.
Asia and Pacific group (ASPAG) Meeting
- Secretary (L&E) also addressed the Asia and Pacific group (ASPAG) Ministerial meeting held at ILO on 5th June, 2024 and highlighted India’s commitment to continued support to ASPAG to play a pivotal role in representing the interests of the region’s vast workforce in the ILO and towards promoting inclusive growth and social justice.
- India acknowledged that ASPAG provides a valuable platform for its member States to exchange ideas, best practices and innovative solutions, and called for enhanced cooperation among the ASPAG member States to shape a future of work that is equitable, sustainable and inclusive.
International Labour Conference (ILC)
- The International Labour Conference is the ILO’s highest decision-making body.
- It meets annually in June, bringing together the tripartite delegations from the Organization’s 187 member States.
- The 187 member states of the International Labour Organization meet every year in June at the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
- The Conference is composed of a plenary and of technical committees.
- The Conference opens and closes in plenary sitting; during intermediate plenary sittings, all delegates may participate in the discussion of the Reports of the Chairperson of the Governing Body and of the Director-General.
- The plenary also performs administrative and formal tasks for the Conference and may hold sittings to receive distinguished guests, including Heads of State or Government.
- Every member state can send a delegation consisting of:
- Two government delegates
- One worker delegate
- One employer delegate
- Each delegate has one vote in the Conference plenary.
- Delegations also include advisers but they do not have voting rights.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q6. Consider the following statements with respect to International Labour Conference (ILC):
1. ILC sets the international labour standards and the broad policies of the World Trade Organisation. 2. ILC is a biennial conference which brings together the tripartite delegations of governments, workers and employers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. None B. 1 only C. 2 only D. 1 and 2 |
Q. International Labour Organization’s Conventions 138 and 182 are related to (2018)
A. Child labour B. Adaptation of agriculture practices to global climate change C. Regulation of food prices and food security D. Gender parity at the workplace Answer: A |
| Answer 6 A
Explanation
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