Tuesday, March 8 2005 14:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Even as the world celebrates Women's Day today (Mar 8, 2005), the International Labour Organisation (ILO) said women are a group severely excluded from India's growth and development.

"Women are severely excluded from India's growth and development," ILO Director Herman van der Laan said in New Delhi at a seminar organised by Communist Party of India (CPI)-affiliated trade union All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).

Taking note of several "unreached and excluded" groups in the country, he said the informal or unorganised sector faced some challenges and suitable strategies should be evolved to bring the workers there to the mainstream and form a part of India's success and development.

The informal or unorganised sector workers comprise 93 per cent of the country's labour force.

"Those who are excluded deserve to be part of India's development and success with full protection and dignity," the ILO Director said.

ILO's current clustered programme in India centres around four strategies, including creation of greater opportunities for women and men to secure decent employment and income.

The Organisation's other programme initiative in India includes promotion and realisation of fundamental principles and rights at work, enhancement of coverage and effectiveness of social protection to all and strengthening 'tripartism' and social dialogue.