NEW DELHI. Atul Sobti, Director General of the Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE), represented the employer community at the recently concluded sessions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Governing Body. His participation highlighted India’s growing influence, particularly as the nation holds a permanent seat as a country of chief industrial importance.
During the intense deliberations, the focus remained on the Development Cooperation Strategy 2026–29 and essential institutional reforms. Sobti advocated for pragmatic employer viewpoints on several transformative issues, including responsible business conduct within global supply chains and defining decent work within the burgeoning platform economy.
A key highlight of the sessions was the discussion on AI-driven labor reforms. Sobti addressed the impact of automation on workforce dynamics and business sustainability, ensuring that the employer perspective remains central to the global dialogue.
He also shared the unique strengths of India’s New Labour Codes, emphasizing the country’s forward-thinking approach to compliance, social security, and skill development for platform workers. Sobti noted that while global solutions are essential, they must be grounded in local realities to be effective.
In addition to the main Governing Body meetings, the Director General participated in the ILO’s Committee on Freedom of Association (CFA). Serving as one of only six nominated employer members, he contributed to the committee’s vital role in neutrally examining complaints regarding collective bargaining and freedom of association, which serves as the backbone of the ILO’s integrity.
Through these high-level engagements, the goal remained to highlight India’s proactive reforms while identifying global best practices that Indian firms can adopt to maintain a competitive and humane edge in the global market.
