ILO consultation advances skills recognition and fair recruitment for Indian migrant workers

NEW DELHI (ILO News) – Strengthening skills recognition processes and fair recruitment systems is essential to expanding safe and decent employment opportunities for migrant workers, participants heard at a stakeholder consultation organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in India.

The consultation took place in New Delhi on 6 July 2026 under the Government of Canada funded ILO project Promoting Safe Employment Pathways and Fair Recruitment Practices (PSP). A central focus of the meeting was aligning the project with the Government of India's priorities and ensuring that project interventions complement existing government efforts with a particular attention towards advancing skills recognition and fair recruitment in the India-Canada labour migration corridor.

© ILO

© ILO

The meeting brought together representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the Ministry of External Affairs, the National Council of Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

Opening the discussion, ILO India Country Director Michiko Miyamoto emphasized that a rights-based approach to labour migration requires governments, technical institutions and social partners to work together to strengthen worker protection through accessible and credible skills recognition systems.

“As labour migration continues to evolve, it is essential that we work together to ensure that workers have access to fair recruitment processes, transparent pathways, and opportunities that recognize their skills and protect their rights,” said Miyamoto.

© ILO

© ILO

Participants discussed priorities for skills development, workforce mobility and international recruitment, while sharing insights on sectoral and geographic priorities, occupations with potential for international mobility, and key stakeholders needed to support successful implementation.

Representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the Ministry of External Affairs, the National Council of Vocational Education and Training, and the National Skill Development Corporation shared perspectives on current priorities and ongoing initiatives related to skills development, workforce mobility, and international recruitment.

© ILO

© ILO

The importance of skills recognition is reflected in the ILO Human Resources Development Recommendation, 2004 (No. 195), which calls for special measures to ensure the recognition and certification of migrant workers' skills and qualifications. The Recommendation also encourages international cooperation to promote the recognition and portability of skills, competencies and qualifications at both the national and international levels.

© ILO

© ILO