Responsible business conduct and human rights due diligence: Case studies from trade unions

This compilation of case studies was prepared as part of the “Building Responsible Value Chains in Asia through the Promotion of Decent Work in Business Operations (Phase II)” project, implemented by the ILO with support from the Government of Japan (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry).

The ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) states that, in the process of human rights due diligence, enterprises “should involve meaningful consultation with [...] relevant stakeholders, including workers’ organizations“, and “should take account of the central role of freedom of association and collective bargaining as well as industrial relations and social dialogue as an ongoing process“. The day-to-day activities of workers’ organizations, as well as the initiatives accumulated by workers and employers, are closely linked to the business and human rights framework.

This collection of case studies has been prepared with the aim of presenting concrete examples that will serve as a reference for workers and employers seeking to further advance initiatives in this field. In compiling the case studies, with the support of UA ZENSEN, the ILO conducted qualitative interviews with UA ZENSEN’s affiliated enterprise-based unions and their respective managements, and on this basis present practical examples of responsible business conduct, including human rights due diligence. The publication also outlines UA ZENSEN’s initiatives to promote respect for human rights as an industrial trade union, together with their historical background.

We hope that, through these case studies, lessons on responsible business conduct and human rights due diligence will be widely shared, leading to further initiatives across domestic and international value chains.