Public-private partnerships

Public-private Partnerships (PPPs) for Decent Work

Public-private Partnerships (PPPs) play an increasingly important role in promoting decent work around the world, mobilizing resources, knowledge and expertise through partnerships with enterprises and other non-state actors. The ILO promotes PPPs as an effective and collaborative way of leveraging its values, principles and standards. The tripartite nature of the ILO has been critically important in building such partnerships.

Who is partnering with the ILO? 

PPPs are being forged with diverse actors including enterprises but also philanthropic and business foundations, universities research centres, NGOs and other non-state actors.

For a comprehensive overview of ILO's PPP portfolio, please visit our Development Cooperation Dashboard.

How do PPPs and the ILO work together? 

PPPs support all of the ILO's areas of work, including on the promotion of standards and fundamental principles and rights at work (where collaboration aims to eliminate child labour, forced labour and discrimination at work and support collective bargaining and the freedom of association), employment, social dialogue and social protection.

Decent work is also good for business. Socially responsible practices are conducive to gains in productivity, competitiveness innovation in global supply chains and market access. Businesses partner with the ILO in specific sectors such as the Better Work programme in the ready-made garment sector. A series of Business Networks brings together enterprises to share knowledge and advance together on a particular issue, such as through the Global Business and Disability Network.

ILO Business Networks

  1. Global Business Network on Forced Labour

    The ILO’s Global Business Network on Forced Labour brings together businesses of all sizes and sectors, and their networks, from around the globe to eradicate forced labour. Operating across all sectors, and geographies, members work to engage smaller enterprises, develop resources and tools, and devise local solutions that help shape national frameworks to create lasting change.

  2. ILO Global Business and Disability Network

    A network of multinational entreprises, employers' organizations, business networks and disabled persons' organizations who share the conviction that people with disabilities have talents and skills that can enhance virtually any business.

  3. Better Work Buyer Partnership

    Brands and retailers are industry leaders in the movement to reimagine the global supply chain, where workers’ rights are realised and businesses gain a competitive advantage to grow. Workers, their employers and governments are critical pillars for change within countries, and brands and retailers can serve as a fourth pillar of support for stable, sustainable improvement.

  4. Child Labour Platform

    A partnership of the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) as co-chairs of the UN Global Compact Labour Working Group. It identifies obstacles to the implementation of ILO Conventions in supply chains and surrounding communities, identify practical ways of overcoming such obstacles, and catalysing collective action.

  5. Global Business Network for Social Protection Floors

    A platform for enterprises to share experiences on social protection and to foster the debate on the role of enterprises in supporting the installation of public social protection systems in countries where they operate.

Business and International Labour Standards

  1. ILO Helpdesk for Business on International Labour Standards

    The ILO Business Helpdesk is a one-stop shop for company managers and workers interested in better aligning business operations with international labour standards.

  2. Additional ILO resources