National tripartite dialogue adopt recommendations to foster responsible business for decent work in Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar (ILO News) – Representatives of the Government of Mongolia, employers’ and workers’ organizations have developed an action plan containing key recommendations, following a national tripartite dialogue on “Promoting sustainable and responsible business practices for the realization of decent work and inclusive growth in Mongolia”, held on 14-15 October 2025.

In his opening remarks, Chang-Hee Lee, Director of the ILO Country Office for China and Mongolia, emphasized that “the dialogue is taking place at a pivotal moment for Mongolia. As a resource-rich economy strategically located between major markets, the country is striving to diversify its economy, enhance competitiveness, attract responsible investment, and ensure that economic growth leads to decent jobs, social inclusion, and sustainable enterprises.”

Representing the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Protection Alimaa Baasansuren, Director General of the Labour Policy Department, reaffirmed Mongolia’s commitment to promoting labour rights. She cited existing policies, legislation, and key initiatives such as the Business and Human Rights National Action Plan and the forthcoming National Human Rights Programme II, which offer opportunities to strengthen the labour dimension and provisions on responsible business practices. Alimaa Baasansuren also highlighted the importance of these discussions as Mongolia moves forward with major investment projects, underscoring the need for these agreements to incorporate fundamental principles and rights at work.

Guided by the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration), officials from the government, including the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Protection (MFLSP), the Ministry of Economy and Development , the Investment and Trade Agency , and the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia together with representatives of the Mongolian Employers’ Federation (MONEF) , the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and professional associations (MNCCI), the Confederation of Mongolian Trade Union (CMTU) discussed the challenges and opportunities for the realization of decent work linked to the activities of multinational and national enterprises in the country, and identified practical measures to foster good business practices in line with international labour standards.

The action plan outlines national priorities to advance decent work, including expanding employment opportunities—particularly for vulnerable groups—strengthening skills development and lifelong learning with improved alignment to labour market needs, extending social protection coverage, and enhancing productivity at the enterprise level.

To ensure business practices support these priorities, participants identified a set of follow-up actions such as strengthening the capacity of government institutions, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and enterprises, including SMEs, on responsible business conduct (RBC); improving labour inspection systems to include RBC elements and the effectiveness of social dialogue mechanisms; and promoting sector-specific approaches to RBC, notably in agriculture, light industry, mining, services, and transportation.

Participants also proposed the establishment of national focal points for the promotion of the ILO MNE Declaration, which could help mobilize efforts and enhance policy coherence to advance these priorities across the country.

On 16 October 2025, the recommendations of the action plan were presented for consideration to the Working Group under the Parliamentary Subcommittee on Human Rights responsible for developing the Second National Human Rights Programme, chaired by Baasanjargal Khurelbaatar, Member of Parliament.

The discussion explored how the guidance of the ILO MNE Declaration can be used to inform the development of the Programme and identified potential entry points to strengthen its labour dimension, drawing on examples and good practices from other countries.

The national tripartite dialogue was organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with the government and the social partners within the framework of the implementation of the “Trade for Decent Work” Project financed by the European Union and Finland.

For more information, please contact:

Javzandulam Myagmar, National Project Coordinator

[email protected]