ILO-UNIDO Workshop on Decent Work (the MNE Declaration) and Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) in Global Supply Chains

Global supply chains present real and significant opportunities for enhancing growth, development, and job creation, benefiting companies, workers, and society as a whole. To seize these opportunities, companies are increasingly expected to take on board the guidance provided by various international mechanisms; however, in early 2016, the International Trade Union Confederation estimated that the global supply chains of 50 companies employ only six per cent of people in a direct employment relationship, while 94 per cent of the workforce remains hidden in informal arrangements which compromise decent working conditions. The ILO and UNIDO, two specialized UN agencies, are committed to promoting inclusive and sustainable business development through standard-setting and ratification, technical cooperation, and knowledge sharing based on the principles of respectful and appreciative dialogue.

The ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (the MNE Declaration) is a key international instrument, encouraging the positive contribution of business to inclusive economic growth and decent work through corporate social responsibility. It is unique because it offers guidelines, in areas as employment, training, working conditions, living conditions, and industrial relations, not only to multinational enterprises, but also to governments and employers’ and workers’ organizations.

UNIDO has also adapted a more holistic approach to industrial development, as shown by its Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development initiative (ISID initiative). This has led to new approaches in industrial development – all while maintaining a strong focus on environment and resource efficiency. This multi-dimensional approach is also apparent in the recently published domesticated version of the ISO26000 by the Chinese Standardization Authorities.

The global supply chains impact economies as well as lives: to ensure that this impact remains positive, clear roles and responsibilities for different entities, and constructive dialogue and collective action among stakeholders are required. The workshop aims to help the ILO and UNIDO better understand the capacity-building needs of Chinese stakeholders in the global supply chains, and identify potential to develop partnerships with state and non-state entities, as well as economic actors. It will bring together most relevant stakeholders in promoting responsible global supply chains and provide a platform to share knowledge and experiences. It will also provide an opportunity to promote better understanding of cross-cutting issues such as environmental impact, and the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Together with a series of follow-up consultations, this workshop will facilitate the collection of information on national experiences – this can be incorporated into global and national tools.

Participants in the workshop including representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the China Enterprise Confederation, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, industrial associations, chambers of commerce, embassies, academic institutions, and leading multinational enterprises. Experts from the ILO and UNIDO will also attend.