XLRI– Xavier School of Management is all set to hold Seminar – ‘ILO @ 100: The Future of Work’ to celebrate the glorious hundred years of International Labour Organization (ILO) on November 9th, 2019 at XLRI Campus, Jamshedpur.

The Inaugural Session of the Seminar will be graced by Ms. Dagmar Walter (Director, ILO, India and South Asia), Fr. P. Christie, S.J. (Director, XLRI – Xavier School of Management) and Dr. Ashish K. Pani (Dean – Academics, XLRI – Xavier School of Management).  Ms. Dagmar Walter will deliver the Inaugural Address on the occasion.

It will be an occasion to recall and record the glorious and significant contribution made by ILO to the world of work and also the special association India has had with ILO being one of the founding members of it. Eminent experts from ILO, Future of Work Commissioners from India (appointed by ILO in the Global Commission on Future of Work), academics, industry and former high ranking government officials,  trade union leaders like Dr. L.D. Mishra (Former Union Labour Secretary, Government of India), Mr. P.P. Mitra (Former Principal Labour & Employment Advisor, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India), Dr. Didar Singh (FoW Commissioner), Mr. Zubin Palia (Chief Group Industrial Relations, Tata Steel, Jamshedpur), Mr. Mahindra Naidoo (Senior Specialist, Social Dialogue, ILO, New Delhi), Ms. Reema Nanavathy (Future of Work Commissioner, SEWA), Prof. Dev Nathan (IHD, New Delhi, Visiting Professor, University Research Fellow, Duke University, USA) will not only deliberate on the challenges and opportunities arising out of the dynamics of future of work in India and also provide multiple perspectives on the same.

Elaborating on the Seminar, Dr. K.R. Shyam Sundar, Eminent Labour Economist & Professor, Human Resources Management Area at XLRI – Xavier School of Management and the event convener said, “2019 marks the completion of 100 years of glorious existence of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The association between XLRI and ILO has been strengthened over the years. XLRI is rightly placed to celebrate the 100 years of glorious existence of ILO which has sought to promote ‘social justice’ which resonates well and even similar to the value systems cherished and implemented by XLRI.”

“The ILO Centenary Declaration 2019 rightly calls the member countries to act with urgency to grab with both hands the tremendous opportunities and tackle the challenges arising out of profound changes taking place in the world of work to shape a fair, inclusive and secure future of work with full, productive and freely chosen employment and decent work for all, which incidentally form a part of the Sustainable Development Goals, 2030 of the UN. In the preceding one hundred years ILO has dealt with wide-ranging subjects in the world of work such as freedom of association and collective bargaining, forced labour, child labour, discrimination, industrial relations, hours of work, certain categories of workers, conditions of work, minimum wages, etc. ILO has been a significant and a powerful and more importantly a benevolent Influence in the world and local affairs. In January 2019, ILO released a Report of the Global Commission on the Future of Work entitled as ‘Work for a Better Future’; which argued that though new jobs will be created working for the transitioning of those whose jobs have been lost will require what it calls as “reinvigoration of social contract” amongst the constituents of tripartism in a society. Such a social contract comprising three pillars, viz. ‘increasing investment in people’s capabilities’, ‘investing in the institutions of work’  and ‘increase in investment in decent and sustainable work’, arising out of social dialogue will place people at the heart of economic, social and labour market policies,” Dr. Shyam Sundar further added.

Fr. P. Christie S.J., Director, XLRI – Xavier School of Management commented, “XLRI is one of the few premier Institutions in India which still endows primacy of place to Industrial Relations. This commitment to Industrial Relations and the labour institutions by XLRI is one of its hallmarks and this is derived from the values system governing XLRI and its mandate. It is even more important that ILO’s good work is firmly communicated to the students of XLRI, the future managers and its alumni. ILO has been hailed as the legitimate and credible organisation to deal with issues arising in and from the world of work by the global community and XLRI is one of the premier educational institutions whose past, present and future students hold important positions in the world of work and business. Hence, it is appropriate and even special to have a program celebrating ILO’s 100 years in XLRI, Jamshedpur in 2019.”