On this second day at the ILO (January 8, 2026), delegates debated a central issue: how can all people engaged in professional activity be guaranteed a living wage in order to ensure a dignified existence and reduce economic disparities? This question energized the Labour Law Committee, which had seemed rather calm until then. We met with two particularly committed delegates who agreed to share their perspectives: the governments of the United Kingdom and India.
Lalie Anquez: Do you think that promoting wage transparency within companies could help reduce unjustified pay gaps?
Government of India: Many workers today are barely surviving on insufficient wages. In our country, there are major economic disparities. We believe that guaranteeing a living wage would help spread income more evenly among workers. By sending investigators to assess the cost of food and housing across regions, we could determine a living wage, which would then become the minimum wage.
Government of the United Kingdom: As representatives of the UK government, we believe that a living wage is a fundamental pillar of social cohesion and economic prosperity. To guarantee it, we propose setting and regularly increasing the minimum wage. We also want to support businesses, particularly SMEs, while strengthening skills development and training. We consider wage transparency to be an effective tool for reducing unjustified gaps and preventing all forms of discrimination.
L.A.: Why is it important for you to establish and enforce a legal minimum wage?
India: In India, 80% of workers are part of the informal sector, so it is essential that a legal minimum wage be respected for everyone, in order to preserve their dignity and ensure a healthy life.
United Kingdom: As a government, it is very important for us to establish and enforce a legal minimum wage, as it provides essential protection against exploitation and guarantees a basic income floor for all workers, allowing them to live more dignified lives.
L.A.: Are there any forms of assistance or measures in your country aimed at improving workers’ incomes?
India: In 2025, our government introduced new labour codes that guarantee higher wages, better protections, the payment of overtime, as well as other measures that improve working conditions.
United Kingdom: In our country, there are already social benefits and tax credits, housing assistance, and state-funded training programs. Unfortunately, some of these measures have shortcomings and are sometimes restricted.