Trade unions from BRICS nations have adopted the Hyderabad Declaration, calling for universal social protection for all workers, including those in the gig and informal sectors. This policy push aims to address wage equality and AI-driven job displacement, potentially influencing future labor regulations across member countries.
Trade union representatives from BRICS nations concluded their 15th forum in Hyderabad on July 16, pushing for a major shift in labor policy. The group unanimously adopted the Hyderabad Declaration, which seeks to establish a framework for universal and sustainable social security for every worker. This includes a specific focus on those often excluded from traditional benefits, such as migrant laborers, agricultural workers, and those working in the growing platform or gig economy.
The declaration marks a coordinated effort by labor organizations to influence national legislation across BRICS member states. By advocating for the portability of social security benefits across borders, the forum aims to provide a safety net for migrant workers who frequently lose access to benefits when moving between countries. This could lead to significant changes in how multinational companies manage cross-border labor contracts and social compliance costs.
Impact on Gig Economy and AI Regulation
A central theme of the discussions was the rise of artificial intelligence and its impact on the workforce. The participating unions have called for new governance models that ensure AI technologies are used to assist employees rather than replace them. For investors, this signals a potential increase in future regulatory pressure on companies to adopt worker-centric AI policies and invest more heavily in continuous employee upskilling and reskilling programs.
The forum also emphasized the necessity of closing gender pay gaps and increasing female labor force participation. These goals, if translated into national laws, would require businesses to implement more transparent compensation structures and robust inclusivity frameworks. Companies may see higher compliance-related costs if these recommendations lead to stricter labor codes or mandatory social protection contributions for informal and platform-based workers.
Institutionalizing Union Engagement
Beyond immediate policy goals, the forum proposed the creation of a permanent institutional mechanism for ongoing union engagement within the BRICS framework. This would give labor groups a more consistent voice in global policy advocacy. By seeking to align national laws with international standards on collective bargaining, the unions are looking to create a more standardized labor environment across member nations.
The summit was hosted by the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh as part of India’s 2026 BRICS Presidency, bringing together delegates from 13 countries and various industry experts. The key monitorable for investors will be how individual BRICS governments choose to incorporate these declarations into their national labor policies and the resulting impact on corporate operational expenses and human resource management.