Russian Labour Minister Anton Kotiakov today opened the tenth meeting of Brics labour and employment ministers in the resort city of Sochi, the Sputnik news agency reported.

According to the Russian minister, each of the Brics member countries has its own unique experience in dealing with labour market development issues.

The meeting of Brics labour and employment ministers in the context of Russia’s chairmanship of the partnership is being held on 9-10 September in the federal territory of Sirius in Sochi on the Black Sea.

I am proud to open our 10th anniversary meeting today, which is also significant because it is the first time it is being held with the participation of the new Brics countries, the minister said.

We are pleased to welcome the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr Kotiakov added.

The minister noted that the Russian chairmanship of the group in 2024 is being held under the theme of strengthening multilateral cooperation for the sake of equitable global development and security.

«Cooperation in the sphere of labour and employment is one of the keys to solving the tasks set. Issues related to the development of human capital and the creation of conditions for the realisation of the potential of our citizens are fundamental, the minister exclaimed.

Mr Kotiakov stressed that Russia is open to large-scale interaction and cooperation with international organisations. «Each of the Brics countries has its own unique experience in addressing labour market development issues.

On each of the issues raised, we will listen with great interest to the interventions of member countries and will be able to identify common principles and approaches that will allow us to continue to work effectively for the benefit of our countries and the entire world community,» he added.

The minister also invited the meeting participants to attend the All-Russian Labour Protection Week, which will be held from 10 to 13 September in Sirius.

On the agenda of the ministerial meetings are issues such as platform employment and the transformation of labour relations under the influence of technological trends, social security and the improvement of labour culture.

Also the reduction of occupational injuries, the development of lifelong learning mechanisms and modern social policy tools.

A total of about 100 participants are expected at the event, including more than 40 representatives of the Brics Trade Union Forum as observers.