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India at ISSA World Social Security Forum 2025

04 Oct 2025 GS 2 International Organizations & Bodies
India at ISSA World Social Security Forum 2025 Click to view full image

Context:

  • Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, attended the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

  • India received the ISSA Award 2025 for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Social Security’.

  • Bilateral meetings held with ISSA leadership, Malaysia, and Uganda on strengthening cooperation in social protection, labour mobility, and skill recognition.

India’s Social Security Achievements

  • Coverage Expansion: From 19% in 2015 to 64% in 2025 → 940 million people covered.

  • Digital-first delivery model:

    • e-Shram Portal: Registration of unorganised workers for social security schemes.

    • National Career Service (NCS): Online job-matching platform.

  • Global Recognition: One of the fastest expansions of social protection coverage in the world.

World Social Security Forum (WSSF 2025) & International Social Security Association (ISSA)

World Social Security Forum (WSSF 2025)

  • Event: World Social Security Forum (WSSF 2025)

  • Dates: 29 September – 3 October 2025

  • Venue: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

  • Organizers: International Social Security Association (ISSA)

  • Hosts:

    • Social Security Organisation (PERKESO)

    • Employees Provident Fund (EPF)

    • Supported by: Retirement Fund (KWAP) & Implementation Coordination Unit, Prime Minister’s Department (ICU JPM) under Malaysia Social Protection Council (MySPC)

  • Participation: Over 1,500 participants from 130+ countries – including ministers, CEOs, experts, international organizations.

  • Significance: The most important global platform for social security dialogue, policy innovation, and knowledge exchange.

International Social Security Association (ISSA)

Background & History

  • Founded: 4 October 1927, Brussels (Belgium), under ILO auspices.

  • Original Name: International Conference of Sickness Insurance Funds and Mutual Benefit Societies.

  • Renamed:

    • 1936, Prague – International Social Insurance Conference (CIMAS).

    • 1947, Geneva – Adopted current name & new Constitution.

  • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland (in ILO).

  • Membership: 330+ member organizations in 158 countries.

Recognition & Status

  • Consultative Status: General Category with UN ECOSOC.

  • Privileges: Participation in UN General Assembly special sessions, international conferences, and intergovernmental processes.

Major Activities

  • World Social Security Forum (WSSF): Held every 3 years (previous: Brussels, 2019).

  • Regional Forums: Africa, Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe.

  • Specialized Conferences:

    • ICT in Social Security

    • Social Security Actuaries & Statisticians

    • Policy Research Conferences

    • World Congress on Occupational Safety & Health (every 3 years, co-organizer).

Publications & Research

  • Flagship Journal: International Social Security Review (quarterly, with Wiley-Blackwell).

  • Key Publications:

    • Developments and Trends (policy analysis)

    • Social Policy Highlight (briefs)

    • Social Security Programs Throughout the World (with US SSA)

    • Complementary and Private Pensions Throughout the World (with OECD, IOPS).

Governance Structure

  • General Assembly: Every 3 years, composed of member delegates.

  • Council: Representatives from each member country, meets during General Assembly.

  • Bureau: President, Treasurer, Secretary General, and regional representatives; meets twice annually.

India and ILO Conventions

India’s Position

  • ILO Membership: India is a founding member of the ILO (1919).

  • Ratifications: India has ratified 47 Conventions of the ILO and 1 Protocol (as of 2025).

  • This is better than many other countries, reflecting India’s commitment to labour standards.

Core ILO Conventions (Fundamental / Human Rights Conventions)

Ratified by India (6)

  1. Forced Labour Convention (No. 29, 1930)

  2. Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No. 105, 1957)

  3. Equal Remuneration Convention (No. 100, 1951)

  4. Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (No. 111, 1958)

  5. Minimum Age Convention (No. 138, 1973)

  6. Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182, 1999)

Not Ratified by India (4)

  1. Freedom of Association and Protection of Right to Organise Convention (No. 87, 1948)

  2. Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention (No. 98, 1949)

  3. Occupational Safety and Health Convention (C155, 1981)

  4. Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention (C187, 2006)

Practice Question for UPSC / State PSC

Prelims MCQ:
Q. Which of the following platforms are linked with India’s digital-first social protection delivery?

  1. e-Shram Portal

  2. National Career Service (NCS)

  3. DigiYatra Platform

  4. Nikshay Portal

Options:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 2 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(Answer: a)

Q. Which of the following ILO Core Conventions has India NOT ratified?

  1. Equal Remuneration Convention (No. 100)

  2. Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182)

  3. Freedom of Association Convention (No. 87)

  4. Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No. 155)

Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 and 4 only
C. 1, 3 and 4 only
D. 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: B (3 and 4 only)



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