Discussion on the promotion and application of the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) in Africa

Panelists

El Mahfoudh Megateli
Employer Vice-President of the 14th African Regional Meeting

Githa Roelans
Head, Multinational Enterprises and Enterprise Engagement Unit, Enterprises department, ILO Geneva

Karim Cissé
Government representative, Côte d’Ivoire

Lindiwe Sephomolo
Employers’ representative: Executive Officer, Association of Lesotho Employers and Business

Bheki Ntshalintshali
Workers’ representative: General Secretary, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)

Overview

The discussion on the promotion and application of the MNE Declaration in Africa is part of “a regional follow-up mechanism that comprises a regional report on the promotion and application of the MNE Declaration in the ILO member States in the region. The regional reports which are based primarily on inputs received from governments, employers and workers’ organizations in these member States based on a questionnaire and a special session during ILO Regional Meetings provide a tripartite dialogue platform to discuss further promotional activities at the regional level. The regional reporting is based on a four-year cycle with a report to be presented to the Governing Body at the end of each cycle.

The Addis Ababa Declaration Transforming Africa through Decent Work for Sustainable Development, adopted at the 13th Africa Regional Meeting, requested the Office to step up its efforts to promote the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy with a strong emphasis on supporting the tripartite constituents at the country level, partnerships with other relevant actors and facilitation of the exchange of experiences.

The discussion has the following objectives:

• To present a regional report Multinational Enterprises, development and decent work – the promotion and application of the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy in Africa based on direct inputs received from governments, employers and workers in the Africa region;
• To provide a dialogue platform among the tripartite constituents from the Africa region with a view to exchange experiences and identify challenges and opportunities for decent work in relation to trade and foreign direct investment at the national and regional level; and
• To discuss further promotional activities on the MNE Declaration and/or technical assistance required from the Office.