South Asia Moves to Transform Care Economy as ILO-Led Summit Drives Regional Action

A major regional push to elevate the care economy in South Asia is gaining momentum, with governments, employers, and workers aligning on a shared vision to unlock economic growth, expand labour participation, and address deep-rooted gender inequalities.

At the centre of this effort is the South-4-Care Learning Hub, a four-day high-level initiative held in Colombo from 21–24 April 2026, bringing together policymakers, labour leaders, and development partners from across the region. Organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in partnership with the World Bank Group and the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO), the platform is designed to accelerate progress toward decent work in the care economy through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building.

Care Economy Moves to the Forefront of Economic Policy

Delivering the inaugural address, Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya underscored a paradigm shift in how care work is perceived—no longer a peripheral social issue, but a central pillar of economic and societal functioning.

"The care economy is fundamental to how our societies sustain themselves," she said, emphasizing that labour force participation is not just about productivity, but also about dignity, inclusion, and equitable access to opportunity.

Her remarks reflect a growing global consensus that care systems—spanning childcare, eldercare, and healthcare support—are critical infrastructure for modern economies, enabling millions to participate in the workforce while supporting families and communities.

Regional Cooperation to Tackle Shared Challenges

The Learning Hub serves as a key platform for South-South and Triangular Cooperation, allowing countries at varying stages of development to share experiences, policy innovations, and practical solutions.

Across South Asia, the challenges are strikingly similar:

• Care work remains undervalued and underpaid, particularly in informal sectors

• Women shoulder a disproportionate burden of unpaid care responsibilities

• Limited access to affordable, quality care services restricts workforce participation

• Care workers often lack formal protections, rights, and social security

These structural issues not only perpetuate gender inequality but also constrain economic growth by limiting labour supply and productivity.

From Dialogue to Action: Building Resilient Care Systems

Participants at the Colombo summit emphasized that meaningful progress will require coordinated, long-term action grounded in:

• Strong public investment in care infrastructure

• Coherent, gender-responsive policy frameworks

• Inclusive social dialogue involving governments, employers, and workers

Panels highlighted the critical role of national actors—from trade unions and employers' organisations to private sector stakeholders—in translating policy commitments into real-world outcomes.

Case studies shared during the sessions demonstrated how partnerships and collaborative approaches can improve service delivery, enhance working conditions, and expand access to care.

ILO Framework Anchors Regional Efforts

The discussions are closely aligned with the ILO's Resolution on Decent Work and the Care Economy, which positions care as essential labour market infrastructure and calls for a rights-based, gender-responsive approach.

The framework emphasizes:

• Expanding access to affordable, quality care services

• Improving wages, working conditions, and protections for care workers

• Recognising both paid and unpaid care work in policy design

• Strengthening social dialogue as a mechanism for reform

By anchoring regional efforts in international labour standards, the initiative aims to ensure consistency, accountability, and long-term sustainability.

Unlocking Economic Potential Through Care Investment

Experts at the forum highlighted the significant economic upside of investing in the care sector. Global research suggests that expanding care services can:

• Boost female labour force participation

• Create millions of formal jobs

• Increase household incomes and reduce poverty

• Drive inclusive economic growth

For South Asia—home to one of the world's largest populations of working-age women currently outside the formal labour market—the potential gains are particularly substantial.

A Roadmap for Inclusive Growth

The South-4-Care Learning Hub is expected to generate actionable strategies for participating countries, helping them translate global commitments into national policies and programmes.

By fostering shared learning and regional alignment, the initiative aims to build resilient, inclusive care systems that support workers, strengthen families, and drive sustainable economic development.

As momentum builds, the message from Colombo is clear: investing in the care economy is not just a social imperative—it is a strategic economic priority that could reshape the future of work and growth across South Asia.