All publications: responsible business conduct + multinational enterprises + trade + export processing zones + fair trade + free trade + trade liberalization + value chains + supply chains

Research brief

Artificial intelligence adoption in Chinese enterprises: Productivity effects, workforce implications, and policy challenges

This research brief explores the adoption of artificial intelligence in Chinese enterprises and its implications for productivity, employment and the world of work.

Development of the Timor-Leste vanilla value chain roadmap including associated skills needs and stocktaking of working conditions

This report presents a roadmap for the development of the vanilla industry in Timor-Leste, with the objective of positioning vanilla as a strategic commodity that supports agroforestry, contributes to economic diversification, creates employment...

Trade, investment and employment: how they are connected and why it matters for job creation

This brief explains how trade, investment, and employment are connected, and why these links matter for decent job creation.

Can digital services help tackle the extension service dilemma?

Evidence and lessons on improving farmer practices at scale from the ILO’s An Ka Baara project in Mali.

Business and Human Rights

National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights. A Guide for Employer and Business Membership Organizations

The report examines private sector engagement in National Action Plans (NAPs) on Business and Human Rights across five Asia-Pacific countries: Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines and Viet Nam. Drawing on stakeholder interviews and policy...

Policy brief

Enterprises, supply chains and the transition to formality: linkages and innovation

This policy brief explores how multinational enterprises (MNEs) and supply chain linkages can help advance the transition from the informal to the formal economy. Drawing on innovative approaches and good practices across sectors and countries, it...

Case study

Systems thinking meets human thinking

Removing constraints and rewiring incentives and behaviours for better State-led social protection delivery in Jordan.

Research Brief

More and better jobs through trade, the role of responsible business conduct and international labour standards

Trade has the potential to drive economic growth and create more and better jobs. Yet these gains are neither guaranteed nor equally shared. This makes it essential for trade policy to explicitly consider its impact on job quantity and quality, and...

Research Brief

Tariff rises, trade tensions and labour markets: Employment impacts and policy implications

Rising tariffs and escalating trade tensions do not protect jobs—they risk destroying them. A new ILO analysis examines how different tariff scenarios could affect employment across countries and groups of workers, highlighting the far-reaching...

Social dialogue for sustainable trade and investment, the case of South Africa

When social dialogue functions well, it can connect economic and social policy objectives and strengthens cooperation among government, business, and workers' organisations. Helping align trade and foreign direct investment policies with sustainable...

Investor Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct and Decent Work

Investor guidelines on responsible business conduct and decent work can help bridge the gap between host government expectations and investor practice. Investor guidelines are voluntary tools that clarify expectations and identify specific areas...

ILO Working Paper 177

Why social dialogue is necessary for sustainable economic development: Exploring peak-level social dialogue in alternative scenarios

This paper argues that social dialogue is a necessary instrument for delivering sustainable economic development and social progress for all. It played a key role in shaping countries’ responses to the financial crisis of 2008–09 and the COVID-19...

Social Protection Coverage in Ethiopia A Fact-Finding Report Based on the ILO-Social Security Inquiry (SSI) Data Collection Tool

This fact-finding report provides a comprehensive baseline of the country's social protection schemes, expenditures, and institutional frameworks by utilizing the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Social Security Inquiry (SSI) data...

The promotion of sustainable, responsible and inclusive business practices among SMEs in Montenegro

This study examines how Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Montenegro are engaging with Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) and human rights due diligence (HRDD) for decent work, with the aim of identifying how institutional and policy frameworks...

Markets for Inclusion (M4I): Catalysing inclusive growth and job creation for refugees and vulnerable groups

This programme brief presents the Markets for Inclusion (M4I): Catalysing inclusive growth and job creation for refugees and vulnerable groups, funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and implemented by the ILO.

Joint ITCILO-INTEFP publication

Summer school on social dialogue: Industrial relations and due diligence

This volume presents selected papers and reflections from the first edition of the Summer School on Social Dialogue, dedicated to industrial relations and human rights due diligence.

Sustainable, competitive and resilient value chains: the One UN response

The United Nations stands ready to leverage its unique strengths - global neutrality, convening power, normative and human rights expertise, and deep field presence - to support countries and businesses in building value chains that are not only...

Sustainable, competitive and resilient value chains: the One UN response - Two pager

The United Nations stands ready to leverage its unique strengths - global neutrality, convening power, normative and human rights expertise, and deep field presence - to support countries and businesses in building value chains that are not only...

Market systems development for decent work

Big talk, any walk?

What results from 100+ projects can tell us about market systems development effectiveness.

Regional value chains for recovery: Creating jobs and shared growth in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan

This study examines how the complementary strengths of Syria, Lebanon and Jordan can be leveraged to generate inclusive employment and support economic recovery through regional value chain development. Focusing on four key sectors, medicinal and...