Leaders Call for Evolution in Industrial Relations Amid Technological Shifts
Mar 12, 2024: Addressing the 2nd Global Industrial Relations Summit, Mr Satoshi Sasaki, Deputy Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO), urged industrial stakeholders to adapt to rapid technological advancements and changing business dynamics by shaping the future of industrial relations.
Organized by the All India Organisation of Employers (AIOE) in association with FICCI and supported by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and EY as the Knowledge Partner, the summit highlighted the critical role of industrial relations in ensuring enterprise sustainability and job protection, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Sasaki commended India for its good industrial relations practices during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of social dialogue-based responses in averting severe consequences for enterprises.
Looking ahead, Mr Sasaki stressed the need for industrial relations to evolve in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda, advocating for a new culture based on social justice and shared growth.
In his welcome address, Mr Alok B Shriram, President of AIOE, emphasized the need for industrial relations strategies to adapt to technological advancements, globalisation, and shifting workforce demographics. He underscored the importance of flexible and adaptive approaches to managing the workforce in an increasingly interconnected and dynamic environment.
Key strategies for reimagining industrial relations, as outlined by Shriram, include embracing digital transformation, investing in employee development, and prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Ms Veena Swarup, Chairperson of the IR Summit and Former Director – HR at Engineers India, highlighted the significance of industrial relations as a hallmark of collaborative work style. She emphasized the need to re-envision industrial relations to address the changing dynamics of the business world effectively, particularly in emerging economies witnessing demographic shifts and evolving workforce models.
