Finnish Presidency of the EU hosts conference on business and human rights
2 December 2019
Githa Roelans, Head of Multinational Enterprises at the ILO, joined a panel debate on key components of an agenda for action to accelerate the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights at the EU and Member State level, which was organized by the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the EU.
She mentioned that the ILO’s mandate to advance social justice and the Decent Work Agenda are closely related to the business and human rights agenda. The new international labour standards on Violence and Harassment in the world of work are also relevant to this agenda. “The International Labour Standards create a level-playing field,” Ms Roelans explained.
If all Member States would ratify these standards, there would be a level-playing field for businesses in all these countries. The outcome document of the conference stresses the importance of the International Labour Standards.
The EU, ILO and OECD are currently implementing a joint project to establish responsible supply chains in Asia. They integrate responsible business practices with regard to the environment, decent work and the respect of human rights into the operations of multinational companies and their supply chains. The project focuses on selected industrial sectors in six Asian countries. The ILO also works with H&M on industrial relations and related challenges.
A Tripartite technical meeting on effective governance to promote decent work in global supply chains will take place at the ILO in February 2020.
“The ILO will continue to work with the private sector and build the capacity in the countries where change needs to happen,” Ms Roelans concluded.
She mentioned that the ILO’s mandate to advance social justice and the Decent Work Agenda are closely related to the business and human rights agenda. The new international labour standards on Violence and Harassment in the world of work are also relevant to this agenda. “The International Labour Standards create a level-playing field,” Ms Roelans explained.
If all Member States would ratify these standards, there would be a level-playing field for businesses in all these countries. The outcome document of the conference stresses the importance of the International Labour Standards.
The EU, ILO and OECD are currently implementing a joint project to establish responsible supply chains in Asia. They integrate responsible business practices with regard to the environment, decent work and the respect of human rights into the operations of multinational companies and their supply chains. The project focuses on selected industrial sectors in six Asian countries. The ILO also works with H&M on industrial relations and related challenges.
A Tripartite technical meeting on effective governance to promote decent work in global supply chains will take place at the ILO in February 2020.
“The ILO will continue to work with the private sector and build the capacity in the countries where change needs to happen,” Ms Roelans concluded.