♦ The 12th BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting commenced in Hyderabad under India's BRICS Chairship 2026.

♦ Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chaired deliberations alongside Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, Labour Ministers and senior officials from BRICS countries. 

♦ The discussions are centred on four priority areas identified under India's Chairship -- advancing social  security and formalisation of labour markets, enhancing women's participation and inclusion in the workforce, cooperation on employability, skills mapping and development, and leveraging digital technologies for all workers, including gig and platform workers.