BRICS Employment Working Group to meet on July 27-28

New Delhi: The BRICS Employment Working Group's first two-day meet will begin on July 27 in Hyderabad with focus on shaping the agenda for labour and employment in these emerging economies.

"First ever Meeting of BRICS Employment Working Group, (BEWG) which is essentially a Senior Officers Level meeting between BRICS Countries to shape the agenda for Labour and Employment track in BRICS, has been scheduled to be held on July 27-28, 2016 at Hyderabad," a Labour Ministry statement said Monday.

According to the statement, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattaraya will also address the meet. The event will see sessions on 'Finalisation of BRICS Employment Working Group', presentation by ILO on 'Employment Generation for Inclusive Growth', presentation by India on 'Possible Social Security Agreements amongst BRICS Nations' and discussion on 'Draft BRICS Ministerial Declaration'.

The working group meet is a prelude to meeting of BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers under the Indian Presidency, scheduled to be held on September 27-28, 2016 at Agra.

India has assumed the Presidency of BRICS in February, 2016.

Starting essentially with economic issues of mutual interest, the agenda of BRICS meetings has considerably widened over the years to encompass topical global issues.

BRICS cooperation has two pillars - consultation on issues of mutual interest through meetings of Leaders as well as of Ministers of Finance, Trade & Health, S&T, Education, Agriculture, Communication, Labour etc. And practical cooperation in a number of areas through meetings of Working Groups/Senior Officials.

Regular annual Summits as well as meetings of Leaders on the margins of ILO, G20 Summits, etc. Are also held.

Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa constitute BRICS nations. These five major emerging economies, comprising 43 percent of the world population, having 37 percent of the world GDP and 17 percent share in the world trade. So far, Seven BRICS Summits have taken place and the 8th BRICS Summit will be hosted by India during its Chairmanship in 2016.