Riyadh: Chetana Jagadeshgari has earned distinguished international recognition with her selection as a speaker at the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) 2026, held in Riyadh. She was chosen from a pool of 200 speakers representing countries across the world, underscoring the global relevance of her work and the growing recognition of migrant-focused perspectives in labor and social protection policy.

Representing migrant communities from Asia, Chetana brought grassroots realities to the global मंच, contributing to high-level discussions aligned with the International Labour Organization (ILO) agenda. She shared the platform with ministerial panel members, government officials, representatives of international welfare organizations, non-governmental organizations, business leaders, and global delegates.

During her address, Chetana highlighted critical issues affecting migrant workers, particularly the impact of poor living conditions on heat exposure. She emphasized that overcrowded housing, inadequate ventilation, and lack of cooling facilities significantly worsen heat stress beyond working hours.

She also raised concerns about the portability of social protection systems, questioning the support available to migrant workers who return to their home countries with chronic or slow-onset health conditions. Calling for comprehensive and portable insurance mechanisms, she stressed the need for protections that extend beyond employment and function across national borders.

Gender-related challenges remained a central focus of her intervention, as she drew attention to the compounded vulnerabilities faced by women migrants. She further advocated for science-based policymaking, highlighting the importance of using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index to accurately assess and mitigate heat stress risks.

Chetana Jagadeshgari’s participation at GLMC 2026 marks more than a speaking engagement; it represents the growing influence of migrant voices in global labor policymaking. Her contribution reflects a significant step toward integrating grassroots experiences into international decision-making platforms.