Although International organizations don’t compete in the human rights arena, the ILO was lagging somewhat behind others, even in terms of its trademark interest of promoting decent work. This Tripartite Declaration concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy is the ILO’s key corporate instrument and yet came in second behind the OECD Guidelines for multinational enterprises as regards CSR standards. On 17 March however the ILO Governing Body adopted the revised Declaration, which now addresses the challenges of supply chains and consistent with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights now also provides guidance on ‘due diligence’ processes. With the revision the ILO is seeking to promote what is a unique instrument in terms of international scope with the aim of becoming a primary tool that corporates will mobilize as part of their sustainable development policies.
Many believe that this is the most complete and comprehensive revision since the Declaration was initially adopted in 1977. This Declaration contains ‘guidelines for enhancing the positive social and labor effects of the operations and governance of multinational enterprises to achieve decent work for all.’ The Declaration comprises sections that address employment, training, conditions of work and life, and industrial relations, including fundamental labor rights and conclusions on several facets of decent work.This new framework re-sets its principles within a context of growing global supply chains and underscores multinational enterprises’ contributions in promoting decent work along their value chains.
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