1. E-learning module is available in 5 languages: English, French, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese

  1. MNE Declaration - 5th Edition

  2. Video

    Voices from national focal points for the promotion of the MNE Declaration

  3. Video

    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 18 languages
  3. Role of the ILO Governing Body

Understanding the MNE Declaration and putting its principles into practice

  1. E-learning module "Business and Decent Work: an introduction to the MNE Declaration" is available in English, French, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese
  2. Resources, videos and briefs
  3. Training opportunities
  4. Country case studies

Operational Tools

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

International policy coherence

  1. Overview of references made to ILO MNE Declaration in international and regional policy frameworks
  2. Reference made to the MNE Declaration in investment treaties
  3. References made to the MNE Declaration in International Framework Agreements

Partnerships

  1. Responsible Business: Key Messages from International Instruments
  2. Collaboration and partnerships with international organizations

Highlights

  1. Selected principles of the MNE Declaration particularly relevant for enterprises in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and preparation for recovery and resilience

What's new

  1. Briefing note

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

    This briefing note, jointly produced by the ILO and the OHCHR/Working Group on business and human rights, explains the interconnectivity between international labour standards, the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights (NAPs). It is addressed to governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, who all have a critical role in the development, adoption and implementation of such NAPs.

  2. Questions and Answers

    Company-Union Dialogue:  An operational tool of the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration)

    The ILO company-union dialogue is intended to support “dialogues involving multinational enterprises and the representatives of the workers affected, in particular trade unions, on the application of the principles of the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration).” This Q&A document provides information on various aspects of the company-union dialogue and explains how the ILO facility operates in practice. It is based on actual questions received.

  3. Upcoming event - Save the date

    3rd UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum, Asia and the Pacific (1-4 June 2021)

    To register for the Forum and view the full program, please visit the Forum webpage.

    The 2021 Asia-Pacific Forum on Responsible Business and Human Rights – promoting responsible business in Asia and the Pacific - is co-organized by several UN entities within the region, namely ILO, IOM, UNICEF, UNDP, ESCAP, UN Women, UNEP, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights. Under the overall theme “The New Decade of Action?”, the Forum focuses on the need for revitalized global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals within the final ten years of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world of work. And the critical role responsible business policies and practices – based on respect for human and labour rights - play to achieve the SDGs.

  4. Online training course

    Investment Facilitation, Sustainable Development and Building Back Better

    7 June – 2 July 2021

    This course provides practical guidance to IPAs and other institutions with a mandate in investment promotion and facilitation to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and strategic thinking on how recovery can contribute to building back better in line with national and regional development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

  5. Briefing note

    COVID-19 and multinational enterprises: Impacts on FDI, trade and decent work in Asia and the Pacific

    April 2021

    Multinational enterprises (MNEs) and their supply chains have been heavily affected by the COVID-19 crisis, with millions of workers suffering adverse impacts. This brief provides evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on FDI and trade in Asia and the Pacific. The brief also discusses the impact on MNEs and decent work and highlights how social dialogue can inform the design and implementation of policies to ensure a human-centred recovery.

  6. GB.341/POL/5

    Promotional activities with regard to the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy and related developments outside the ILO

    This document seeks guidance from the Governing Body on the promotional activities to further the recognition and implementation of the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy among Member States, social partners, and enterprises, including in the context of the global “Building Back Better” response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ILO’s engagement with other international organizations(see the draft decision in paragraph 44).

  7. Business Forum

    2nd UN South Asia Forum on Business and Human Rights [17-19 March 2021]

    The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UNDP and ILO are collaborating in the organisation of the 2nd UN South Asia Forum on Business and Human Rights. Please see attached the ‘Save-the-Date’ announcement. Forum’s concept note and other information are now available on the website.

  8. Press release

    Employers Federation of Pakistan appointed as the national focal point for promoting the ILO MNE Declaration in Pakistan

    Pakistan is the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to appoint a national focal point for the promotion of the MNE Declaration and the application of its principles.

  9. News

    Stakeholders of Japan's National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights issued Joint Comments following dialogue facilitated by the ILO

    Stakeholders comprising the Working Group and Advisory Committee on the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, in which ILO Office for Japan is participating as a member, have released comments on the Plan.

  10. Policy brief

    Restructuring for recovery and resilience in response to the COVID-19 crisis

    This brief provides guidance to companies on good practices on restructuring in response to the COVID-19 crisis, consistent with the provisions of international labour standards. It also suggests actions that employers’ and workers’ organizations can take to support enterprises and workers during restructuring.

  11. 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.