National conference in New Delhi focuses on workplace participation, new-age skills, social security and the future of employment
New Delhi: Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the National Conference on Industrial Relations and Labour & Awards 2026 in New Delhi, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Employers’ Federation of India (EFI).
Held around the theme “Reengineering Industrial Relations & Workplace Participation in the AI Age”, the conference brought together industry representatives, labour stakeholders, policymakers and officials to discuss how technological transformation is reshaping workplaces and employment.
AI skills to become key focus for India’s workforce
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mandaviya said India’s labour and social security ecosystem must evolve in line with changing economic conditions and emerging technologies.
He highlighted the opportunities created by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and stressed the importance of preparing India’s youth for an increasingly technology-driven economy through training in AI, automation, robotics and other advanced technologies.
The Minister referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address from the Red Fort in 2026, during which the Prime Minister announced a target of training one crore youth in AI skills over the next year.
Social security coverage rises to 68%
Dr. Mandaviya also highlighted the expansion of India’s social security coverage over the past decade. According to the figures cited by him, coverage increased from 19% of the population in 2015 to 101 crore people, or 68% of the population at present, a level recognised by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
He called for a shift away from the traditional perception that policies favouring industry are necessarily opposed to workers’ interests, or that worker-centric measures are necessarily against industry.
The Minister said industry and workers should progress as partners in nation-building, with sustainable economic growth and a dignified workforce remaining interconnected objectives.
‘Shram Samvad’ campaign to cover 316 districts
A major announcement at the conference was the launch of the Ministry of Labour & Employment’s nationwide awareness campaign on the Labour Codes, titled “Shram Samvad”.
Beginning on Monday, the campaign will cover industrial clusters across 316 districts in all 36 States and Union Territories over the next 90 days.
Emphasising the importance of regular consultations among employers, workers and other stakeholders, Mandaviya said continuous dialogue is essential for maintaining harmonious industrial relations.
“Wherever there is Samvaad, there is Samadhan,” he said, while encouraging stakeholders to share and adopt best practices.
Economic growth and employment
Referring to India’s 7.8% GDP growth, the Minister outlined the government’s broader economic approach and its relationship with employment generation.
He said that during 2017–23, every 1% growth in the economy translated into 1.11% employment growth, compared with 0.008% earlier.
Mandaviya stressed that achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 would require collective efforts towards sustained economic growth, greater employment opportunities and a workforce that enjoys dignity and social security.
Guide on Fixed-Term Employment released
During the inaugural session, Dr. Mandaviya also launched the report “Employer’s Guide Under New Labour Codes Framework: Fixed-Term Employment in India.”
The conference is providing a platform for industry and labour representatives to exchange views on the future of work, industrial relations and workplace participation, particularly in the context of rapid technological change.
Among those attending were Puneet Kaura, Chairman, CII Northern Region; Harshavardhan Chitale, Co-Chairman, CII National Committee on Industrial Relations & Labour; and Oktavianto Pasaribu, Deputy Director and Senior Advisor for Regional Partnership Development and Resource Mobilization, ILO, along with senior industry representatives and officials of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The deliberations are expected to focus on balancing the opportunities created by technologies such as AI with the evolving requirements of workers, employers and India’s wider employment ecosystem.