ILO survey signals rising business demand for support on labour, trade and responsible business

BANGKOK (ILO News) – An ILO survey of 60 employer and business membership organizations across 22 countries and economies in Asia and the Pacific highlights how labour and responsible business requirements are increasingly shaping business decisions on market access, competitiveness and supply chains.

The survey captures perspectives from organizations that represent businesses and help them navigate changing requirements. Among those answering the main survey questions, 96 per cent say these requirements are relevant to their member companies, and 81 per cent say companies face greater pressure to meet them than two to three years ago.

That pressure comes through overlapping channels: national regulation, trade-related labour requirements, human rights due diligence, international buyer expectations and supply-chain practices. Maintaining market access and export competitiveness is the most frequently cited driver of demand for support.

Employer and Business Membership Organizations (EBMOs) are responding with policy advocacy, workplace advice, labour-risk tools and briefings on changing requirements. But growing demand is stretching their resources: 53 per cent identify funding as a barrier and 47 per cent cite staff capacity.

The findings underline the ILO’s role as a strategic partner for employers and their organizations. Among respondents identifying priorities for future ILO support, technical expertise ranks first, alongside demand for practical tools, sustained assistance and stronger policy analysis and advocacy.

Strengthening EBMOs’ capabilities can help businesses put labour standards into practice, respond to market requirements and contribute informed proposals to policy discussions.