1. MNE Declaration - 5th Edition

Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) - 5th Edition (2017)

The MNE Declaration is the only ILO instrument that provides direct guidance to enterprises (multinational and national) on social policy and inclusive, responsible and sustainable workplace practices.

It is the only global instrument in this area and the only one that was elaborated and adopted by governments, employers and workers from around the world. It was adopted 40 years ago and amended several times, most recently in March 2017. Its principles are addressed to multinational and national enterprises, governments of home and host countries, and employers’ and workers’ organizations providing guidance in such areas as employment, training, conditions of work and life, industrial relations as well as general policies. The guidance is founded substantially on principles contained in international labour standards.

To stimulate the uptake of its principles by all parties, the ILO Governing Body has adopted operational tools.

The MNE Declaration

  1. What is the ILO MNE Declaration?
  2. Text and annexes in 10 languages
  3. Role of the ILO Governing Body
  4. International policy coherence - Overview of references to the ILO MNE Declaration

Understanding the MNE Declaration and putting its principles into practice

  1. E-learning module "Business and Decent Work: an introduction to the MNE Declaration"
  2. Resources and policy briefs
  3. Training opportunities
  4. Country case studies

Operational Tools

  1. Promotion 
  2. Company Union Dialogue
  3. Interpretation procedure

Highlights

  1. Senegal appoints four national focal points and lays the foundations of a national promotion strategy

    By appointing by ministerial order four national focal points responsible for the promotion and application of the MNE Declaration, Senegal has become the first country in Africa to appoint national focal points. Earlier this year, Senegal already made history by creating the first tripartite Commission to promote the MNE Declaration within a national social dialogue institution.

What's new

  1. Training

    International Labour Standards and Corporate Social Responsibility: Understanding workers' rights in the framework of due diligence

    8-12 October 2018, International Training Center of the ILO, Turin

    This five-day course aims to strengthen the capacity of participants to understand the principles of international labour standards as they relate to company operations (including due diligence related to labour rights) and how those principles can be most effectively implemented in company operations.

  2. Regional follow-up

    Information gathering on the MNE Declaration started in preparation for the report and special session on the MNE Declaration during the 19th American Regional Meeting

    Deadline for the submission of the questionnaires: 30 May 2018

  3. News

    Decent work in global supply chains: MOU signed between China and the ILO

    25 May 2018

    The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) of China and the ILO signed a Memorandum of Understanding sealing their cooperation on the promotion of decent work in global supply chains. Both parties agree to cooperate on the implementation of an EU funded Project on Responsible Supply Chains, and of an INDITEX funded Project on Promoting Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in Cotton Supply Chains. The ILO MNE Declaration will serve as a key document for this cooperation.

  4. Publication

    The ILO MNE Declaration: What’s in it for Workers?

    1 May 2018

    Following the update of the MNE Declaration, the ILO Bureau for workers' activity (ACTRAV) has decided to update its guidance document “The ILO MNE Declaration: What’s in it for Workers?”. The update strives to provide a forward-looking view on approaches and pledges how workers and trade unions can successfully use the MNE Declaration in practice, particularly in respect to its new elements.

  5. News

    ILO, Tokyo 2020 sign agreement to promote decent work in run-up to the Games

    26 April 2018

    The International Labour Organization and Tokyo 2020 sign an agreement to promote socially responsible labour practices in the run-up to the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Japanese capital.

  6. News

    ILO revises its landmark Declaration on multinational enterprises

    17 March 2017

    The ILO has revised its landmark MNE Declaration on multinational enterprises and social policy, which provides guidance on how companies can contribute to the realization of decent work for all.