1. MNE Declaration - 5th Edition

  2. Multinational enterprises, development and decent work: the approach of the ILO MNE Declaration 2019

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 16 languages
  3. Role of the ILO Governing Body
International policy coherence:
  1. Overview of references made to ILO MNE Declaration in international and regional policy frameworks
  2. References made to the MNE Declaration in International Framework Agreements
  3. Partnerships

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. Launch of the Responsible Business Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean Fund

    Deadline for applications: 20 April 2020.

    This Fund, launched under the framework of the RBCLAC project, funded by the EU and jointly implemented by ILO, OECD and OHCHR, provides funding opportunities to initiatives that contribute to the promotion and implementation of responsible business conduct in Latin America.

    To find out more about the Fund, register and submit your proposal, please visit the RBCLAC Fund’s website.

What's new

  1. Regional follow-up

    Information gathering on the MNE Declaration started in preparation for the report and special session on the MNE Declaration during the 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting

    In preparation of the 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting, questionnaires are being sent by the International Labour Office directly and simultaneously to the Governments and Employers' and Workers' organizations of the participating ILO member States.

  2. Training course

    Multinational enterprises, development and decent work: the approach of the ILO MNE Declaration

    11-15 May 2020, International Training Center of the ILO, Turin, Italy

  3. Video

    What is RBCLAC?

    The new programme Responsible business conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean, implemented together with the OECD, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and funded by the European Union, aims to promote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in the EU and Latin America and Caribbean by supporting responsible business conduct practices in line with the UN, ILO and OECD instruments.

  4. Case study

    The ILO MNE Declaration at the centre of a transnational dialogue within the Labour and Social Dialogue Council of the West African Economic and Monetary Union

    The Council for Labour and Social Dialogue of the Union économique et monétaire Ouest Africaine (UEMOA)/West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) is the first subregional social dialogue institution to discuss the promotion of the MNE Declaration and to adopt specific recommendations addressed to its member States and social partners for the application of its principles.

  5. Regional Report

    Report on the promotion and application of the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy in Africa

    14th African Regional Meeting, Abidjan, 3-6 December 2019

  6. Press release

    Forum makes case for responsible business agenda

    November 2019

    The event hears that the time is right for Viet Nam to integrate responsible business practices into its policies and corporate operations.

  7. Country case studies

    Jamaica designates its tripartite Labour Advisory Council as national focal point for the promotion of the ILO MNE Declaration

    Jamaica is the first country in the Americas region to appoint a national focal point for the promotion of the MNE Declaration and the application of its principles and is the first country to appoint a tripartite social institution as a unique focal point.

  8. Seminar

    Seminar on Business, Human Rights and Decent Work for SME Advisors in Georgia

    11 October 2019

    The course aimed to discuss the principles of responsible business conduct and corporate social responsibility and how those principles can be most effectively implemented in business operations which will affect positively the worker productivity, job stability, mature relation at the enterprise level and companies competitiveness.

  9. ILO/UNCTAD Public Forum 2019

    Strengthening support for trade through decent work

    9 October 2019

    ILO and UNCTAD organized a session to present the findings of the ILO- UNCTAD report “Enhancing the contribution of export processing zones to SDG 8, decent work and economic growth” and discuss the implications for government policies and practices impacting decent work in EPZs. Speakers included: Richard Bolwijn, Head, Business Facilitation Branch Speakers included Richard Bolwijn, Head, Business Facilitation Branch, Investment and Enterprise Division, UNCTAD; Raúl A. Torres, Counsellor, Development Division of the WTO development agenda; Bostjan Skalar, CEO, World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) and AKhamati Mugalla, Executive Secretary, East African Trade Union Confederation (EATUC). Githa Roelans, Head of the Multinational Enterprises and Enterprise Engagement Unit, facilitated the discussion.

    Summary report for the UNCTAD-ILO event at the WTO Forum

  10. News

    The Sierra Leone Local Content Agency joint hands with the Ministry of labour, employers and workers as national focal points to promote the ILO MNE Declaration in Sierra Leone

    Sierra Leone has become the third country in Africa to appoint national focal points for the promotion of the MNE Declaration and the application of its principles.

  11. Video

    Effective investment facilitation and sustainable development, June 2019

    International Training Center of the ILO,Turin, June 2019

    Testimonials of resources persons and participants to the annual training course “Effective investment facilitation and sustainable development” organized at the International Training Center of the ILO in Turin in June 2019. This training course was organized jointly by WAIPA (World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

  12. Responsible Supply Chains in Asia

    Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum

    12-13 June 2019

    The Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum (#RBHR Forum) is a multi-stakeholder event addressing an array of priority issues under the Responsible Business Conduct and Business and Human Rights agendas. The forum will take place during the Bangkok Business and Human Rights Week, 10-14 June 2019 in Bangkok.

  13. Press release

    China to benefit from responsible business conduct in supply chains

    5 March 2019

    Delegates to a technical seminar on CSR in the electronics and textiles sectors discuss challenges and practices.

  14. Press release

    Government of Georgia lines up for Decent Work through Corporate Social Responsibility

    28 February 2019

    Over 20 representatives from different line ministries gathered in Borjomi, Georgia to discuss decent work and responsible labour practices and its implications for Government within the framework of the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration).

  15. New Guide

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

    May 2018

    In March 2017, the MNE Declaration was substantially amended. The changes respond to increased international investment and trade and the growth of global supply chains. Moreover, the revision addresses issues related to social security, forced labour, transition from the informal to the formal economy, wages, due diligence processes, grievance mechanisms and access to remedy for victims of business-related human rights violations.

  16. 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.

  17. News

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

    December 2017

    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.

  18. 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.