New Delhi: On April 25, 2025, the 11th BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers’ Meeting convened in Brasília under Brazil’s Presidency, marking a significant milestone in global labour governance. Held under the theme “Strengthening the Cooperation of the Global South for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” the meeting culminated in the adoption of a forward-looking declaration addressing two critical themes: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Future of Work” and “The Impacts of Climate Change on the World of Work and a Just Transition.”
Overview of the 2025 BRICS Labour Ministers’ Meeting
The BRICS coalition, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has evolved into an 11-nation body with the inclusion of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. Representing the voice of emerging markets and developing countries, BRICS plays a pivotal role in global forums like the G20. The 2025 Labour & Employment Ministers’ Meeting, supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), focused on harnessing AI for decent work and ensuring a just transition amid climate challenges. The declaration underscores the urgency of universal social protection and South-South cooperation to address the evolving world of work.
Key Themes of the Declaration
The declaration addresses two pivotal themes shaping the future of employment:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Future of Work: The rapid integration of AI into workplaces presents both opportunities and challenges. The declaration commits BRICS nations to promoting inclusive AI policies that balance innovation with worker protection. It emphasizes equitable access to AI, ensuring workers have a voice through meaningful social dialogue.
- The Impacts of Climate Change on the World of Work and a Just Transition: With 1.2 billion livelihoods threatened by ecosystem collapse and 2.4 billion workers enduring dangerous heat levels, the declaration advocates for fair climate transitions. It prioritizes green job creation, social dialogue, and inclusive policies to protect vulnerable workers.
Key Outcomes of the BRICS Declaration
The declaration outlines actionable commitments to address the challenges posed by AI and climate change:
- Promoting Inclusive AI Policies: BRICS nations pledge to develop AI frameworks that prioritize worker protection while fostering innovation. This includes ethical AI adoption, workforce upskilling, and sectoral applications in agriculture, healthcare, and education.
- Advancing Social Dialogue for Fair Climate Transitions: The declaration emphasizes the importance of social dialogue to ensure equitable transitions for workers in climate-vulnerable sectors. Collaborative efforts with the ILO will support workers’ rights during this transformation.
- Strengthening South-South Cooperation: BRICS countries aim to enhance cooperation on labour governance, digital inclusion, and green job creation. This commitment reflects the group’s role as a leader in advancing the Global South’s development agenda.
The declaration also highlights the growing urgency of universal social protection. With 83% of people in climate-vulnerable countries lacking basic coverage and platform workers facing significant protection gaps, BRICS nations are committed to closing these gaps through normative guidance, research, and technical cooperation supported by the ILO’s Global Coalition for Social Justice.
India’s Leadership and Contributions
India’s delegation, led by Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, played a pivotal role in shaping the declaration. Aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Technology for Empowerment, Not Exclusion” and the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (Together with All, Development for All), India showcased its human-centric approach to technological and environmental transformation.
India’s Vision on AI and the Future of Work
India emphasized its National Strategy for AI, which prioritizes ethical adoption, workforce upskilling, and sectoral applications. Key initiatives highlighted include:
- FutureSkills Prime: A program designed to equip workers with skills for AI-driven industries, ensuring they remain competitive in a rapidly evolving job market.
- Namo Drone Didi: An initiative empowering rural women by providing training and access to drone technology, creating tech-enabled livelihoods.
- National Career Service (NCS) Platform: Powered by AI, the NCS connects millions of workers to employment opportunities by bridging skill gaps and offering personalized career guidance.
These initiatives reflect India’s commitment to inclusive technological advancement, ensuring that AI serves as a tool for empowerment rather than exclusion.
India’s Approach to Climate Action and Just Transition
On climate action, India presented its just transition framework, which ensures green growth translates into equitable job creation. Key highlights include:
- Sector Skill Council for Green Jobs (SSCGJ): This council drives skilling programs tailored to green industries, preparing workers for sustainable employment opportunities.
- Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): A transformative initiative promoting sustainable practices and environmental consciousness at the grassroots level.
- Climate Leadership: India’s achievement in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 2020 to 2019 and its pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 underscore its commitment to global climate goals.
India’s collaborative efforts with the ILO to protect workers’ rights during the transition to a green economy were also emphasized, reinforcing its role as a global leader in sustainable development.
Significance of the Declaration for Workers
The BRICS declaration holds profound implications for workers worldwide, particularly in the Global South. By addressing the dual challenges of AI-driven disruption and climate change, the declaration aims to create a future where no worker is left behind.
Harnessing AI for Decent Work
The declaration recognizes AI’s potential to transform workplaces while acknowledging the risks of exclusion and job displacement. By promoting equitable access to AI and prioritizing social dialogue, BRICS nations aim to ensure that workers’ rights are upheld in an AI-driven world. The ILO’s support through research and technical cooperation will be instrumental in shaping rights-based AI policies.
Just Transition: Green Jobs and Inclusive Policies
The declaration’s focus on a just transition addresses the existential threats posed by climate change. With 1.2 billion livelihoods at risk from ecosystem collapse and 2.4 billion workers exposed to dangerous heat levels, the creation of green jobs and inclusive policies is critical. BRICS nations are committed to advancing social dialogue to ensure that workers in vulnerable sectors are supported during the transition to a green economy.
Universal Social Protection
The widening protection gap, particularly for platform workers and those in climate-vulnerable countries, is a pressing concern. The declaration underscores the need for universal social protection, with BRICS nations pledging to address this gap through collaborative efforts with the ILO. This commitment aligns with the ILO’s Global Coalition for Social Justice, which provides normative guidance and technical support to promote social justice in the world of work.
The Role of BRICS in Global Governance
The BRICS coalition, initially formalized as BRIC in 2006, has grown into a powerful platform for South-South cooperation. The inclusion of South Africa in 2011 and the recent expansion to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia in 2024 have strengthened its global influence. With 40 countries expressing interest in joining and 23 formally applying for membership, BRICS is poised to reshape global governance by prioritizing the voices of the Global South.
The establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB) in 2014, with an initial authorized capital of $100 billion, underscores BRICS’ commitment to advancing the development agenda. The 2025 Labour Ministers’ Meeting builds on this legacy, reinforcing BRICS’ role as a leader in inclusive and sustainable governance.
Brazil’s Presidency and the Path Forward
Brazil assumed the BRICS presidency on January 1, 2025, setting the stage for a year of transformative initiatives. The 2025 Labour Ministers’ Meeting reflects Brazil’s commitment to addressing the challenges of AI and climate change while fostering cooperation among BRICS nations. The declaration’s emphasis on South-South cooperation, digital inclusion, and green job creation aligns with Brazil’s vision for a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Conclusion
The 11th BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers’ Meeting, held on April 25, 2025, in Brasília, marks a turning point in global labour governance. By adopting a declaration that addresses the impacts of AI and climate change on the world of work, BRICS nations have reaffirmed their commitment to building a future where no worker is left behind. India’s contributions, rooted in its human-centric approach to technology and climate action, have set a benchmark for inclusive development. As BRICS continues to expand its influence, the declaration serves as a roadmap for creating a more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive world of work.
FAQs
1. What was the main focus of the BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers’ Meeting held in 2025?
The 11th BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers’ Meeting, held on April 25, 2025, in Brasília under Brazil’s Presidency, focused on two pivotal themes: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Future of Work” and “The Impacts of Climate Change on the World of Work and a Just Transition.” The meeting aimed to strengthen South-South cooperation for inclusive and sustainable labour governance.
2. What are the key commitments outlined in the BRICS Declaration of 2025?
The BRICS Declaration commits member nations to:
Strengthen South-South cooperation on labour governance, digital inclusion, and green job creation.
Promote inclusive AI policies that balance innovation with worker protection.
Advance social dialogue to ensure fair climate transitions for workers.
3. How did India contribute to the BRICS Labour Ministers’ Meeting 2025?
India, led by Union Minister Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, highlighted its human-centric approach to technological and environmental transformation. Key contributions included showcasing the National Strategy for AI, initiatives like FutureSkills Prime and Namo Drone Didi, the AI-powered National Career Service platform, the Sector Skill Council for Green Jobs, Mission LiFE, and India’s commitment to reducing GHG emissions and achieving net-zero by 2070.
4. Why is the concept of a “just transition” important in the BRICS Declaration?
The “just transition” ensures that no worker is left behind during the shift to a green economy. With 1.2 billion livelihoods threatened by ecosystem collapse and 2.4 billion workers facing dangerous heat levels, the declaration emphasizes equitable job creation, social dialogue, and inclusive policies to protect vulnerable workers during climate transitions.
5. How does the BRICS Declaration address universal social protection?
The declaration underscores the urgency of universal social protection, noting that 83% of people in climate-vulnerable countries lack basic coverage and platform workers face significant protection gaps. BRICS nations, supported by the ILO’s Global Coalition for Social Justice, commit to closing these gaps through normative guidance, research, and technical cooperation.
