The BRICS Ministers of Labour and Employment met on 9–10 September 2024, focussing on social protection for platform workers and the self-employed, labour market integration and safety and health at work.
When the BRICS Ministers met in Sochi, for the first time it was with ten member countries. The International Social Security Association (ISSA) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) support the group through the BRICS Virtual Liaison Office and contributed to the discussions.
BRICS members
The founding BRICS members are Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa. In January 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joined the BRICS countries.
Social protection for platform workers and the self-employed
Strengthening regulation and social protection for platform workers and the self-employed was high on the agenda. “We recognize the need to regulate platform work to ensure decent work, in particular fair remuneration, social security, other labour protection” said the Ministerial declaration. The ministers committed to integrating platform workers into national social security systems, ensuring they receive the same benefits and protections as regular workers.
In his presentation, ISSA President Dr Mohammed Azman stressed that “Adequate labour and social protection for platform workers depends on not only sound policies and regulations but also well-managed implementation.” Dr Azman highlighted the ISSA’s work in this area, including the recently launched Protection of platform workers portal.
The President emphasised that social security systems are about more than just protecting jobs – they’re about supporting people through the twist and turns of life. Whether someone is moving from traditional employment to self-employment or navigating the shifting landscape of new forms of work, social security systems must evolve alongside them. Regarding the self-employed, he stressed that the ISSA is there to help with good practices, experiences and solutions.
Labour market integration and safety and health at work
The ministers also discussed labour market integration and the importance of vocational guidance and lifelong professional education. Social security institutions provide support through school-to-work programmes, wage subsidies, advanced technologies at employment services and vocational training that blends theory with practical experience. The ministers pledged to continue their efforts to modernize employment services to better facilitate job matching, career development and skill enhancement.
Finally, occupational safety and health (OSH) was an important topic for discussion and the BRICS OSH Network was established to serve as a platform for collaboration among government agencies, industry experts and research institutions across the ten countries. The ISSA highlighted its extensive experience, networks and tools in this area, including the Special Commission on Prevention and 14 international prevention sections, the Technical Commission on Insurance against Employment Accidents and Occupational Diseases, and relevant ISSA Guidelines.
Next steps
The Declaration from the BRICS Ministers of Labour and Employment will be presented to the BRICS Summit on 22–24 October 2024 and recommended for endorsement. The ISSA will continue to support the BRICS countries on their social protection priorities through the Virtual Liaison Office, hosted jointly with the ILO, and has offered to share knowledge with the new BRICS OSH Network.