MNE Declaration and supply chains

The ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) provides direct guidance to enterprises, both multinational and national, on inclusive, responsible, and sustainable business practices for the realization of decent work. It also recognizes that multinational enterprises often operate through relationships with other enterprises as part of their overall production process and, as such, can contribute to further the aim of this Declaration. By applying the principles of the MNE Declaration, enterprises can make a positive contribution to economic and social progress and the realization of decent work for all; and to minimize and resolve the difficulties to which their various operations may give rise. Its recommendations, rooted in international labour standards, reflect good practices for all enterprises and provide relevant guidance to address decent work deficits and their root causes.

The ILO strategy on decent work in supply chains promotes a smart mix of national and international mandatory and voluntary measures to optimize the impact of its efforts. It builds on the ILO’s unique tripartite structure, its standards system, and the full range of its means of action. The MNE Declaration is a key building block of the ILO strategy, underscoring the importance of equipping and assisting governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations and enterprises to make better use of the MNE Declaration and apply its principles to ensure decent work in supply chains. This involves actively promoting and facilitating tripartite national, home-host country, and company-union dialogues, as well as sharing knowledge, evidence, and good practices through the ILO Helpdesk for Business.