NEW DELHI, India (ILO NEWS) - Being a founder member and permanent Governing Body member of the ILO, celebration of the ILO’s centenary held a special connotation for India. On January 22nd, 2020, the country did not just celebrate historic 100 years journey of the ILO’s but it also cherished memories of the mutually beneficial partnership and trust. 

A congratulatory event, ‘ILO Centenary Celebrations’ organized by Ministry of Labour and Employment of Government of India at Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi was chaired by Honorable Minister of Labour Employment, Mr Santosh Kumar Gangwar. Deputy Director General of the ILO, Mr Moussa Oumarou, was a special guest of the Indian government for the event.

On this occasion, the government released a compilation of the ILO Conventions ratified by India named ‘100 years of Partnership’. Along with it another compendium, ‘India and the ILO, Chronicle of a shared Journey 1919:2019’, developed by the ILO DWT South Asia and India office was released too. The cherry on top was a special commemorative postal stamp symbolizing the core values of the ILO of equality, peace and social justice.

Recognising the support of the ILO Mr Gangwar said, “In these 100 years, both India and the ILO have strived to overcome challenges of world of work together. It’s the tripartite nature of the ILO, which offers it an authority to resolve issues of the world of work. We shall continue our association for well-being of global workforce in next 100 years as well.”

Appreciating the Indian government for the honor, DDG Mr Moussa said in his speech, “I must admit that it is the commitment of the strong member States like India and its constituents, towards strengthening labour laws and practices, which helped the organization not just to sustain but to remain relevant, even more so now after 100 years when the world is facing unprecedented changes.”

The compendium developed by the ILO attracted audience with its contents of historic photographs, speeches, key visits of ILO and Indian leaders and the policy milestones from the country’s past. “This heritage can help us understand both the responsibilities of today and the mission that our founders and successive generations have placed in our tripartite hands”, mentioned Ms Dagmar Walter, ILO Director, DWT South Asia and India. She gave a vote of thanks to all the attendees who managed to attend the celebrations.

At the event Hiralal Samariya, Secretary MoLE, Vishwa Pavan Pati, Additional Director General Department of Post, Ms Anuradha Prasad, Additional Secretary MoLE were present on the dais. The event witnessed participations from the constituents, academicians, other associated ministries and UN Agencies.