The Government of India and the International Labour Organization (ILO) signed an agreement on 16 September to fund a feasibility study on an international classification of occupations based on skill and qualification requirements. The initiative, supported by a €650,000 contribution from India, represents the country's first direct funding agreement with the ILO and reflects the country's growing leadership and engagement in multilateral cooperation.
The study, scheduled from September 2025 to September 2027, will examine the development of a standardized taxonomy to improve comparability of job roles and qualifications across countries. The findings are expected to inform policies on recruitment, migration, education and career guidance, particularly in the green, digital and care economies.
India's commitment follows its G20 presidency in 2023, where member states called for greater comparability of skills across borders. India's leadership in South-South cooperation and its active role in platforms like BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) and IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) have positioned it as a key player in shaping inclusive and sustainable labour policies.
"I appreciate India's strong leadership in advancing this initiative, which will reinforce meaningful peer learning among G20 members on skills taxonomy," said ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo.
Early findings from the OECD showing significant disparities in job descriptions across nations, underscore how important this latest joint study between the ILO and the Government of India is. The project aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 8, focusing on quality education and decent work. The study will apply cutting edge technologies, including artificial intelligence and big data, to analyze and harmonize existing occupational taxonomies.
India's upcoming BRICS presidency in 2026 is expected to further amplify its role in global labour policy. This partnership between India and the ILO sends a powerful message: the importance of working internationally together to build a future of work that is equitable, adaptable, and inclusive.
