India–Canada initiative advances skills recognition and fair recruitment for migrant workers

NEW DELHI (ILO News) – Government representatives, employers' and workers' organizations, and international partners have advanced discussions on strengthening skills recognition and fair recruitment to support safer and more transparent labour migration between India and Canada.

A Project Briefing and Networking Reception, held in New Delhi on 28 July, discussed improving migration pathways between India - one of the world’s largest countries of origin for migrant workers - and Canada, a key destination country.

Participants highlighted ongoing challenges affecting labour mobility between the two countries, including skills mismatch, limited recognition of talent, and risks in recruitment practices. The engagement was organized under an International Labour Organization (ILO)-led project supported by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The project aims to address these issues by strengthening skills recognition systems and promoting fair recruitment practices.

Building on the broader stakeholder discussions, a Technical Consultation held on 29 July focused on a draft methodology for comparing skills and qualifications across countries. The framework is designed to support labour mobility, enhance employer confidence in workers' qualifications and skills, and inform upskilling pathways for migrant workers. The consultation was attended by technical agencies from India, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Philippines amongst others.

The methodology examines key dimensions such as qualification levels, learning outcomes, training volume, assessment systems, quality assurance, and occupational standards. Participants provided feedback on its usability and policy relevance, and shared country- and migration corridor-specific experiences that can inform further development of the methodology.

The discussions also identified preparatory work necessary for pilot testing the methodology in selected sectors, including care, construction and renewables between India and selected Canadian provinces.

“The two-day engagement underscored the importance of transparent skills recognition and fair recruitment in enabling safe and orderly migration. As the project moves forward, continued collaboration between India, Canada, and international partners will be key to translating these efforts into practical outcomes for workers and employers,” said Oktavianto Pasaribu, Deputy Director, ILO Country Office India.