Cabinet approves MoU amongst BRICS nations regarding cooperation in the social and labour sphere

social and labour sphere

Question: When was South Africa inducted into BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) to form BRICS?
(a) 2009
(b) 2008
(c) 2011
(d) 2010
Answer: (d)
Related facts:

  • BRICS is the acronym for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Originally the first four were grouped as “BRIC” (or “the BRICs”), before the induction of South Africa in 2010.
  • The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi gave ex-post facto approval for MoU amongst BRICS nations regarding cooperation in the social and labour sphere.
  • The MoU was signed on 3rd August, 2018 during BRICS’s Labour and Employment Ministers (LEM) Meeting.
  • In the MoU, the parties including India have agreed to cooperate and hold mutual events in the prominent areas viz. labour legislation and enforcement, protection of workers’ rights etc.
  • The MoU also focuses on vulnerable groups, Employment and Labour market policies, Professional education, kills & training and social protection.
  • This would also ensure networking of international Training Centre of International Labour Organization (ILO) with the BRICS Network of Labour Institutes which includes V.V. Giri National Labour Institute of India.


  • The BRICS Social Security Cooperation framework will deepen social security cooperation among BRICS nations and would facilitate cooperation for improvement of social security systems and social security agreements among member countries.
    Background:
  • The 2ndmeeting of BRICS Employment Working Group was held on 30th July to 1st August 2018 and BRICS Labour and Employment Ministerial meeting took place from 2nd August, 2018 to 3rd August, 2018 under the South African Presidency in Durban, South Africa.
  • The Draft MoU between BRICS countries regarding cooperation in the social and labour sphere was discussed, deliberated and finalized in the BRICS EWG meeting held between 30th July and 1st August 2018.
  • The MoU was then signed by respective Labour Ministers of BRICS member countries on 3rd August 2018.

Links:
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=184335