OCT 03: Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, held bilateral meetings with delegations from ISSA, Malaysia, and Uganda on the sidelines of the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) in Kuala Lumpur. He also received the ISSA Award 2025 for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Social Security’ on behalf of the Government of India.
During his meeting with Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohammed Azman, President of ISSA and CEO of PERKESO (Malaysia’s social security organisation), Dr. Mandaviya highlighted India’s digital-first approach to social protection delivery through initiatives like e-Shram and the National Career Service (NCS). He welcomed India’s enhanced representation and voting rights in ISSA, while ISSA leadership praised India’s social security expansion.
With Uganda’s Labour Minister Betty Amongi Ongom, Dr. Mandaviya explored cooperation in public works, agriculture, traditional medicine, and tele-medicine, along with skilled workforce exchanges. Uganda expressed interest in adopting India’s digital public infrastructure for labour and social protection.
In his meeting with Malaysia’s Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, the two sides reaffirmed the India-Malaysia Enhanced Strategic Partnership, with focus on IT, renewable energy, and infrastructure. Discussions also included the proposed Memorandum of Collaboration between ESIC (India) and PERKESO (Malaysia).
Highlighting India’s progress, Dr. Mandaviya noted the expansion of social protection coverage from 19% in 2015 to over 64% in 2025, now benefitting 940 million people. He also called for the Global South to take a lead in framing model definitions for gig and platform workers, crucial for the future of work.
Malaysia invited Dr. Mandaviya to the 2026 summit on platform workers. The engagements marked a significant step in strengthening India’s role in global social security cooperation and labour mobility.
