A Social Security Agreement would help international workers to port their benefit to their home countries

BRICS member nations have resolved to enter into dialogue and discussion with each other to finalize a Social Security Agreement for the labour sector.

Participating in the 1st BRICS Employment Working Group (EWG) held earlier this week, the members - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - also discussed formalization of labour markets and participation of women in the labour force.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on Thursday, representatives of International Labour Organization (ILO) and International Social Security Agency (ISSA)
expressed willingness to provide technical support in facilitating conclusion of a Social Security Agreement (SSA).

Member Nations also converged on devising multilateral framework for the same on a later stage.

"Social Security Agreement would help the international workers to port their benefit to their home countries thereby preventing loss of their hard earned money. Further, they will be exempted from contributing both in home as well as host countries," the official release said.

At the same time, the member countries resolved to promote participation of women in remunerative, productive and decent work and to extend social security cover to the women workers engaged in informal sector.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the participation of women in labour force was also discussed.

Focusing on the formalization of the labour market, member nations discussed various initiatives taken by them towards formalization of jobs and how Covid-19 has enhanced informalization risk.

The two-day meeting, held in a virtual format on Tuesday and Wednesday, also discussed the role of gig and platform workers in the labour market.

The member nations noted how the proliferation of Digital Labour Platforms was transforming the labour processes in the world of work.

"Challenges faced by them and various measures being taken by member nations including extension of social protection system were also discussed," the ministry release said.

Apart from representatives of member nations Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the representatives of International Labour Organization (ILO) and International Social Security Agency (ISSA) also made valuable interventions and suggestions on the agenda issues.