ILO Bureau for Employers' Activities (ACT/EMP) - Area of work

Crisis and resilience

Situations of conflict, natural disaster and other unexpected adversities such as pandemics and cyberattacks not only disrupt the fabric of our societies, they also severely impact businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises. Additionally, many enterprises operate in complex, multi-hazard environments that undermine their performance and reverse growth trajectories. A stable, predictable and enabling environment are a requirement for maintaining an income and for the conduct of business. Therefore, the private sector has a vested interest in stability and can play a critical role in rebuilding resilient economies and societies in face of crises situations. 

Employer and business membership organizations (EBMOs) have unique convening power, representational functions and service structures that position them to support the business community in better preparing for, mitigating, responding to and recovering from crises. The ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP) assists EBMOs in navigating the complexities of crises by developing knowledge products, enterprise training, including on business continuity, and policy tools to promote business resilience. 

Sustainable and resilient enterprises training programme

Sustainable and resilient enterprises training programme

The Sustainable and Resilient Enterprises (SURE) training programme has been developed for SMEs who seek to strengthen their resilience in the face of complex and compound natural, bio-environmental, techno-industrial and socio-political hazards.

News and events

Kenyan employers step forward to support refugee inclusion under the Shirika Plan
Participants in dialogue on Refugee Workplace Inclusivity in Kenya

Kenyan employers step forward to support refugee inclusion under the Shirika Plan

Global publications

Forced displacement, social cohesion and workplace inclusivity through employer action. The use of conflict drivers and stakeholder maps
ILO Brief Forced displacement, social cohesion and workplace inclusivity through employer action

Forced displacement, social cohesion and workplace inclusivity through employer action. The use of conflict drivers and stakeholder maps

Resilience in conflict situations: A toolkit for employer and business membership organizations and enterprises
 ACTEMP toolkit conflict situation cover

Resilience in conflict situations: A toolkit for employer and business membership organizations and enterprises

The role of employer and business membership organizations in promoting the labour market integration of refugees
 Cover image - the role of employer

Refugee crisis

The role of employer and business membership organizations in promoting the labour market integration of refugees

Managing Conflicts and Disasters: Exploring Collaboration between Employers’ and Workers’ Organizations
Cover image - Managing conflicts and disasters

Natural disaster; conflict

Managing Conflicts and Disasters: Exploring Collaboration between Employers’ and Workers’ Organizations

How the COVID-19 pandemic is changing business: A Literature Review
Cover image - How the covid-19 pandemic is changing business

COVID-19

How the COVID-19 pandemic is changing business: A Literature Review

A global survey of enterprises: Managing the business disruptions of COVID-19
Cover image - A global survey of enterprises

COVID-19

A global survey of enterprises: Managing the business disruptions of COVID-19

Enterprise survey tool: Assessing training needs resulting from COVID-19
Cover image - Enterprise survey tool

COVID- 19

Enterprise survey tool: Assessing training needs resulting from COVID-19

A global survey of employer and business membership organizations: Inside impacts and responses to COVID-19
Cover image - A global survey of employer and business member organizations

COVID- 19

A global survey of employer and business membership organizations: Inside impacts and responses to COVID-19

An employers’ guide on working from home in response to the outbreak of COVID-19
Cover image - An employers' guide on working from home

COVID- 19

An employers’ guide on working from home in response to the outbreak of COVID-19

Safe return to work: Guide for employers on COVID-19 prevention
Cover image - Safe return to work

COVID- 19

Safe return to work: Guide for employers on COVID-19 prevention

The six-step COVID-19 business continuity plan
Cover image - The six step Covid-19 business

COVID-19

The six-step COVID-19 business continuity plan

Enterprise survey tool: Assessing the needs of enterprises resulting from COVID-19
Cover image - Enterprise survey tool

COVID- 19

Enterprise survey tool: Assessing the needs of enterprises resulting from COVID-19

COVID-19 Employers and business membership organizations (EBMOs) public statement template
Cover image - Covid-19 employers and business membership

COVID- 19

COVID-19 Employers and business membership organizations (EBMOs) public statement template

An employer's guide on managing your workplace during COVID-19
Cover image - An employers' guide on managing your workplace

COVID- 19

An employer's guide on managing your workplace during COVID-19

Overview of ACT/EMP's work in conflict-affected zones
Cover image - Overview of ACT_EMP's work

Conflict

Overview of ACT/EMP's work in conflict-affected zones

Overview of ACT/EMP's work in disaster risk reduction
Cover image - Overview of ACT_EMP's work in disaster risk reduction

Natural disaster

Overview of ACT/EMP's work in disaster risk reduction

Regional or country publications

Perspectives on business resilience in Trinidad and Tobago: A research report
Cover for publication Perspectives on business resilience in Trinidad and Tobago: A research report

Business continuity

Perspectives on business resilience in Trinidad and Tobago: A research report

The role of business in South Africa's transition to democracy
 Cover image - The role of business in South Africa's transition

Conflict

The role of business in South Africa's transition to democracy

The Role of Social Partners in the Nepal Peace Process
 Cover image - The role of social partners

Conflict

The Role of Social Partners in the Nepal Peace Process

Disaster risk reduction and disaster management in Myanmar: The roles of employer and business membership organizations
 Cover image - Disaster risk reduction and disaster management

Natural disaster

Disaster risk reduction and disaster management in Myanmar: The roles of employer and business membership organizations

Business and Peace in Sri Lanka: The roles of employer and business membership organizations
 Cover image - Business and peace in sri lanka

Conflict

Business and Peace in Sri Lanka: The roles of employer and business membership organizations

Enterprise creation, employment and decent work for peace and resilience: The role of employer and business membership organizations in Asia
 Cover image - Enterprise creation, employment and decent work

Conflict

Enterprise creation, employment and decent work for peace and resilience: The role of employer and business membership organizations in Asia

Multinational enterprise investment in conflict-affected zones in South-East Asia
 Cover image - Multinational enterprise investment

Conflict

Multinational enterprise investment in conflict-affected zones in South-East Asia

Needs assessment for the private sector in the Philippines: Disaster preparedness, response and recovery
 Cover image - Needs assessment for the private sector

Natural disaster

Needs assessment for the private sector in the Philippines: Disaster preparedness, response and recovery