Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh L. Mandaviya during the inauguration of the newly constructed OPD building at ESIC Hospital, at Sanathnagar in Hyderabad
India’s social protection coverage has increased from 19 per cent in 2015 to 64.3 per cent in 2025, covering nearly 940 million people, Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday, adding that preliminary estimates for 2026 indicate that it has crossed one billion citizens.Meanwhile, India will host the 2026 BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting (LEMM) in Hyderabad over two days from Wednesday.Inaugurating the 15th BRICS Trade Union Forum (TUF) Summit 2026 in Hyderabad, Mandaviya stated that nearly 170 million employment opportunities have been created in the last decade. The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, according to him, aims to create 35 million formal sector jobs over the next two years through employment-linked incentives.The Minister said India’s BRICS Presidency theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” reflects the country’s commitment to ensuring that the future of work remains inclusive, equitable and centred on the welfare of workers.Economic progressWelcoming delegates from across the BRICS family, he said trade unions have played an important role in safeguarding workers’ rights, strengthening industrial harmony and ensuring that economic progress is accompanied by social justice.He said India remains committed to the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where economic growth and workers’ welfare are complementary pillars of sustainable development. He also spoke of labour reforms which were introduced for a simplified framework and strengthening workers’ rights. The reforms provide for universal minimum wages, appointment letters, improved occupational safety and health, digital compliance systems and, for the first time, formal recognition of gig and platform workers.India has leveraged digital public infrastructure to transform labour governance. He informed that the e-Shram portal has registered more than 317 million unorganised workers, enabling them to access various welfare schemes, while the National Career Service Portal connects job seekers, employers, career centres and training providers through a nationwide digital employment platform.Social securityReferring to India’s social security architecture, the Minister said the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), with over 80 million active members and 8 million pensioners, is among the world’s largest social security organisations. The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) provides healthcare and social security benefits to over 150 million insured persons and their dependants. He added that continuous reforms in EPFO and ESIC have expanded coverage, simplified procedures and improved service delivery.Earlier, BRICS Trade Union Forum Summit 2026 Chairman and Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) National President Shri Sunkari Mallesham said the summit seeks to promote cooperation among BRICS countries for strengthening workers’ welfare and advancing inclusive development.The Minister also inaugurated the new OPD Block of ESIC Hospital, Sanathnagar in Telangana. The new medical facility, built at a total cost of Rs. 211.13 crores, will cater to over 12.3 lakh Insured Persons and beneficiaries across Telangana.Published on July 14, 2026
