Driven by various mega trends – technological advancements, demographic transition and globalisation – the world of work has been experiencing massive transformations in the last two to

three decades. In this crucial and evolving phase of the world of work, COVID-19 heralds unprecedented challenges, particularly in terms of even safeguarding jobs and incomes of the people. Nuanced understanding and analysis of the ongoing transformations in the world of work, on the one hand, and the ramifications of the COVID-related crisis in the labour and employment scenario, on the other, help us to identify some of the major pathways that may be navigated by the public policies related to labour in order to ensure a favourable and brighter future of work. It is also very obvious that we need collective action and proactive involvement of all concerned stakeholders, ranging from the government, employers and trade unions to researchers and civil society organisations, to respond to the challenges of change. It is against this background that the V.V. Giri National Labour Institute is organising this training programme on the ‘Future of Work: Navigating Transformations Effectively’ with the following specific objectives.