Tripartite representatives from the nine CPLP member states convened in Lisbon to discuss business, trade, investment and decent work

LISBON, Portugal (ILO NEWS) - The ILO in collaboration with the CPLP and IEFP and the government of Portugal brought together tripartite delegates from the 9 CPLP countries to discuss the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Enterprises (ILO MNE Declaration) as a framework to drive inclusive economic growth and decent work for all. The event took place in Lisbon, Portugal, from 14 to 18 October 2024, with almost 40 participants attending from Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea-Equatorial, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé e Príncipe, Timor-Leste.

In a time where trade and investment ties between CPLP countries as well as with other regions are gaining in importance the workshop brought together key national actors from various Ministries (including Labour, Trade and Economy), trade unions and employer organizations of the 9 CPLP member States to discuss current and upcoming trends in relation to investment (foreign direct investment) and trade and how the framework of the ILO MNE Declaration can advance the achievement of decent work and inclusive growth.

The training seminar built upon the tripartite awareness-raising workshop on the MNE Declaration organized in March 2022 in the framework of the EU-funded project "Trade for Decent Work", where tripartite participants from Cabo Verde and Mozambique – and observers from Angola, Guinea-Bissau, and São Tomé and Príncipe – learned about the ILO MNE Declaration and discussed its relevance to achieve national development and decent work priorities and had the opportunity to exchange with the national focal point for the promotion of the MNE Declaration in Portugal.

Addressing the audience at the opening session of the Lisbon seminar, the Director of International Cooperation at CPLP, Mr Manuel Lapão underscored the importance of this event to further enhance collaboration and exchange of knowledge amongst CPLP countries connected with issues of trade and investment, and responsible business conduct. He highlighted that the strategic partnership between the CPLP and the ILO is strong and already covers areas such as child labour eradication, strengthening of labour inspection national systems and social protection. Mr Lapão recognized the growing importance of business and human rights as a thematic area where CPLP may want to undertake further efforts, in parallel with the existing CPLP working group on Human Rights. 

In addition to in-depth presentations on the MNE Declaration, different themes were discussed and assessed throughout the week that are of particular importance for the business and decent work discussion such as the importance of realizing the ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at work; the need for  more policy coherence on responsible business conduct (RBC); connection to the Just Transition towards environmentally sustainable economies; enhanced inclusion of labour provisions in trade and investment agreements; and the recent trend of due diligence legislations, including the recently adopted EU Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

 Representatives from the European Commission participated in the workshop as well as Galp, Portugal’s main energy company, to share their experiences as a company operating in many of the CPLP countries with tested approaches and results. Particular attention was also given to the operational tools of the ILO MNE Declaration and the ILO to the tripartite constituents in member States in making better use of the recommendations of the MNE Declaration at the national level through capacity building, tools, facilitation of dialogues, etc. The tripartite appointed national focal points for the promotion of the ILO MNE Declaration from Mozambique, Portugal and Cabo Verde shared their experiences, priorities and concrete activities in their countries.

Neusa Van-Dúnem (MNE Declaration national focal point for Portugal) summarized the week with a statement of optimism by saying that “Portugal, Mozambique and Cabo Verde are no longer alone in driving the Declaration and these important issues forward and that there is a sense of collegiality between the members of the group in continuing working together, in supporting each other and  leveraging each other to advance decent work through trade and investment, under the aegis of the CPLP and its strategic collaboration with the ILO”. 

The roadmaps and next steps presented at the end of the workshop highlighted the strong interest of the delegates in the MNE Declaration as a relevant framework for action to advance national development and decent work priorities, leveraging foreign direct investment and trade and stimulating responsible business conduct. All delegates highlighted the importance of social dialogue and a tripartite approach and cross-border collaboration. We look forward to further engaging with the tripartite delegations on their roadmaps and providing support on the national processes.

Githa Roelans, Head of Multinational Enterprises and Responsible Business Conduct Unit of the ILO

This workshop exceeded expectations in three ways, by the level of interest and applications submitted by the various countries that largely surpassed the available slots, by the level of engagement throughout the week and by the relevance of the theme which has, in fact, surpassed our expectations and is an indication that more needs to be done and that this group needs to be kept alive.

Mafalda Troncho, Director of ILO Office in Portugal