For inclusive social security
| Photo Credit:
Siva SaravananS
Workers today rarely frame their demands in the language of policy. They demand something more fundamental: Will my job last? Will my family be secure? Will my skills remain relevant tomorrow? These questions speak not just of employment, but of confidence in the future.
India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat is not only about creating jobs — it is about creating confidence among workers. Confidence that effort will be rewarded. Confidence that mobility will not mean loss of security. Confidence that change will bring opportunity, not vulnerability.
For a long time, labour policy in India was largely about welfare delivery and dispute resolution. While these remain important, they are no longer sufficient for a fast-changing economy. Today, the role of the Labour Ministry is evolving — from being a regulator of the past to becoming an enabler of the future workforce.
Need for dignity
Years of engagement with people at the grassroots has deeply shaped this perspective. I have spoken to young people entering the job market for the first time, uncertain whether degrees will translate into livelihoods. I have met migrant workers who want to move for opportunity without losing access to social protection. I have interacted with platform workers who seek fairness and recognition in new forms of employment. Their aspirations point to a simple truth: workers do not want dependency; they want predictability and dignity.
This is where reform becomes meaningful. Our efforts are focused on building systems that travel with the worker— across jobs, locations, and life stages. Social security must no longer be static or fragmented; it must be portable, digital, and inclusive. Employment frameworks must encourage formalisation without discouraging enterprise. Most importantly, policy must keep pace with how work itself is changing.
The world of work is being reshaped by technology, global supply chains, and evolving employer-employee relationships. Gig work, remote employment, automation, and international labour mobility are no longer future concepts — they are today’s reality. The challenge before us is to ensure that flexibility does not come at the cost of fairness, and innovation does not weaken protection.
Compassionate reforms
The Labour Ministry’s approach is guided by a clear principle: reform with compassion, growth with inclusion. Labour reforms are being pursued not as isolated legal exercises, but as instruments to expand coverage, reduce uncertainty, and create an ecosystem where enterprises grow and workers feel secure. Dialogue and trust are central to this journey. Sustainable reform cannot be achieved through directives alone. It requires continuous engagement with workers’ organisations, employers, and state governments. Consensus may take time, but it ensures durability — and durability is essential for long-term confidence.
Ultimately, the success of India’s growth story will be measured not only by economic indicators, but by the confidence with which workers plan their future.
A confident workforce is more productive, more innovative, and more resilient. It is also the strongest foundation of social harmony.
The Ministry of Labour & Employment is actively working to translate this vision into action — strengthening institutions, modernising systems, and aligning policy with the realities of a 21st-century workforce. The goal is clear: to ensure that every worker feels secure enough to aspire, skilled enough to compete, and confident enough to move forward.
The writer is Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Labour and Employment
Published on January 27, 2026
