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Wednesday 22 March 2017
ILO Revises its Landmark Declaration on Multinational Enterprises
GENEVA (ILO News) The addressed not only to en-
International Labour Orga- terprises but also to govern-
nization has revised its land- ments.
mark MNE Declaration. “The MNE Declaration pro-
Its principles are aimed at vides clear guidance on
multinational and national how enterprises can con-
enterprises, governments, tribute through their opera-
and employers’ and work- tions worldwide to the real-
ers’ organizations in the ar- ization of decent work.”
eas of employment, train- Guy Ryder, ILO Director-
ing, conditions of work and General
life, and industrial relations To encourage commitment
as well as general policies. to the principles of the MNE
These include the funda- Declaration by all parties,
mental principles and rights the Governing Body of the
at work but also guidance ILO adopted a range of
on many other facets of operational tools, including
decent work. a regional follow-up mech-
Forty years after the adop- anism, tripartite appointed
tion of the original MNE The revision of the landmark Declaration by the ILO Governing Body responds to new economic national focal-points, com-
realities, including increased international investment and trade, and the growth of global supply
Declaration, multinational chains. pany-union dialogue, and
enterprises remain key driv- interpretation procedure
ers of globalization. Their and they continue to play The revision of the Decla- ing increased international of the principles of the MNE
operations can affect the a vital role in promoting ration by the ILO Govern- investment and trade, and Declaration. ILO country-
working and living condi- economic and social prog- ing Body responds to new the growth of global sup- level assistance will also be
tions of people worldwide ress. economic realities, includ- ply chains. It also takes into provided to governments,
account developments employers and workers.
since the last update in “The revised MNE Dec-
2006 within and outside laration reflects a robust
the ILO, including new la- consensus among gov-
bour standards adopted ernments, employers and
by the International Labour workers firmly anchored in
Conference, the Guiding today’s realities. The MNE
Principles on Business and Declaration provides clear
Human Rights endorsed by guidance on how enterpris-
the Human Rights Council es can contribute through
in 2011, and the 2030 Agen- their operations worldwide
da for Sustainable Devel- to the realization of decent
opment . work,” ILO Director-Gen-
The revision has enriched eral, Guy Ryder, said. “Its
the MNE Declaration by recommendations rooted
adding principles address- in international labour stan-
ing specific decent work dards reflect good prac-
issues related to social se- tices for all enterprises but
curity, forced labour, tran- also highlight the role of
sition from the informal to government in stimulating
the formal economy, wag- good corporate behaviour
es, access to remedy and as well as the crucial role of
compensation of victims. social dialogue.”
It also provides guidance The MNE Declaration is the
on “due diligence” pro- only global instrument ad-
cesses ‒ consistent with the dressing corporate social
UN Guiding Principles on responsibility and sustain-
Business and Human Rights able business practices
‒ in achieving decent that was elaborated and
work, , sustainable business- adopted in a tripartite
es, more inclusive growth manner by governments,
and better sharing of the employers and workers
benefits of FDI, particularly from around the world.
relevant for the achieve- Information and guidance
ment of Sustainable Devel- on the application of the
opment Goal 8 . principles of the MNE Dec-
The MNE Declaration rec- laration is available through
ognizes the different roles the website of the multina-
and responsibilities of gov- tional enterprises unit and
ernment, enterprises and further guidance on com-
social partners in achieving pany operations can be
its aim of inclusive econom- accessed through the ILO
ic growth and decent work. Helpdesk for Business (as-
Its principles are therefore sistance@ilo.org ).q
