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Responsible business conduct

Businesses contribute to economic and social development through job creation, development of skills and technology, and the provision of goods and services. At the same time, business activities can have adverse impacts on people, the environment and society.

By integrating principles of responsible business conduct (RBC), enterprises can significantly make the positive contribution to economic and social progress and the realization of decent work for all; and to minimize and resolve the difficulties to which their various operations may give rise. 

Three international  instruments have become the key reference points on responsible business conduct expressing clear expectations and guidance on how companies can act responsibly: the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration), the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The three instruments are aligned in their approach and complement each other.

The ILO promotes RBC for the realization of decent work and encourages businesses of all sizes and sectors to align their operations with principles of international labour standards and the guidance offered by the MNE Declaration, which reflect good practices for all enterprises. The MNE Declaration also provides guidance for governments and social partners on a conducive environment for responsible business conduct.

Key resources

Responsible Business: Key Messages from International Instruments
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Responsible Business: Key Messages from International Instruments

MNE Declaration
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MNE Declaration

ILO Helpdesk for Business on International Labour Standards
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ILO Helpdesk for Business on International Labour Standards

Collaboration and partnerships with international organizations
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Collaboration and partnerships with international organizations

The MNE Declaration and the Business and Human Rights agenda
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The MNE Declaration and the Business and Human Rights agenda

Joint UN Global Compact-ILO learning plan for companies “Advancing decent work through the UN Global Compact Labour Principles”
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Joint UN Global Compact-ILO learning plan for companies “Advancing decent work through the UN Global Compact Labour Principles”

Highlights

ILO successfully co-organized the 6th UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum, Asia-Pacific
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ILO successfully co-organized the 6th UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum, Asia-Pacific

VIII Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean
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VIII Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean

The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights comes to ILO for technical exchanges on the business and human rights agenda
Group photo of participants in the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights

The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights comes to ILO for technical exchanges on the business and human rights agenda

News and articles

Empowering employers for a sustainable and digital future in the Gulf Region
Speakers at the Global Market Conference

Empowering employers for a sustainable and digital future in the Gulf Region

Korea’s workers, employers end government unite to advance responsible business practices and human rights due diligence
KIET

Responsible business conduct

Korea’s workers, employers end government unite to advance responsible business practices and human rights due diligence

Highlighted publications

Promoting gender equality through responsible business conduct: the role of governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations
Publication cover

ILO brief

Promoting gender equality through responsible business conduct: the role of governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations

The linkages between international labour standards, the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and National...
Publication cover

Briefing note

The linkages between international labour standards, the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and National...

Most recent publications

Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Supply Chains (RISSC) in the Philippines progress

Fact sheet

Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Supply Chains (RISSC) in the Philippines progress

Driving Industry Dialogue (DID): Social dialogue for decent work and human rights due diligence in the Thai automotive sector

Tripartism and social dialogue

Driving Industry Dialogue (DID): Social dialogue for decent work and human rights due diligence in the Thai automotive sector

Highlighted projects

Human Rights Due Diligence in support of Decent Work (HRDD4DW)
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Human Rights Due Diligence in support of Decent Work (HRDD4DW)

Responsible Business Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean (RBCLAC) Phase II
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Responsible Business Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean (RBCLAC) Phase II

Building Responsible Value Chains in Asia through the Promotion of Decent Work in Business Operations Phase II
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Building Responsible Value Chains in Asia through the Promotion of Decent Work in Business Operations Phase II

Trade for Decent Work Project
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Trade for Decent Work Project

Projects

Child Labour Platform (CLP)

Child labour: Child Labour Platform (CLP)

Child Labour Platform (CLP)

Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Supply Chains Asia (RISSC)

Tripartism and social dialogue

Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Supply Chains Asia (RISSC)

Highlighted training resources

International Labour Standards and Responsible Business Conduct: The Labour Dimension of Human Rights Due Diligence
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International Labour Standards and Responsible Business Conduct: The Labour Dimension of Human Rights Due Diligence

The Labour Dimension of Business-Related Human Rights Policies and National Action Plans
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The Labour Dimension of Business-Related Human Rights Policies and National Action Plans

Gender equality, responsible business conduct and human rights due diligence
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Gender equality, responsible business conduct and human rights due diligence

Key figures

158 countries

have ratified the ILO Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144)

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