Workers on a factory floor

Responsible business conduct

Businesses contribute to economic and social development through job creation, development of skills and technology, and the provision of goods and services. At the same time, business activities can have adverse impacts on people, the environment and society.

By integrating principles of responsible business conduct (RBC), enterprises can significantly make the 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. 

Three international  instruments have become the key reference points on responsible business conduct expressing clear expectations and guidance on how companies can act responsibly: the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration), the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The three instruments are aligned in their approach and complement each other.

The ILO promotes RBC for the realization of decent work and encourages businesses of all sizes and sectors to align their operations with principles of international labour standards and the guidance offered by the MNE Declaration, which reflect good practices for all enterprises. The MNE Declaration also provides guidance for governments and social partners on a conducive environment for responsible business conduct.

Key resources

Responsible Business: Key Messages from International Instruments
Workers harvesting tea leaves on a plantation.

Responsible Business: Key Messages from International Instruments

MNE Declaration
World map

MNE Declaration

ILO Helpdesk for Business on International Labour Standards
An illustration showing three helpdesk staff.

ILO Helpdesk for Business on International Labour Standards

Collaboration and partnerships with international organizations
Handshake between two persons.

Collaboration and partnerships with international organizations

The MNE Declaration and the Business and Human Rights agenda
Photo of a busy commercial street at night.

The MNE Declaration and the Business and Human Rights agenda

Joint UN Global Compact-ILO learning plan for companies “Advancing decent work through the UN Global Compact Labour Principles”
Two people in hard hats and safety glasses at work.

Joint UN Global Compact-ILO learning plan for companies “Advancing decent work through the UN Global Compact Labour Principles”

Highlights

ILO at the 12th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights Forum
Ms Celeste Drake, Deputy Director General of the ILO, represented the organisation and delivered an opening remark.

ILO at the 12th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights Forum

VIII Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean
Five speakers on stage at the VIII Regional Forum

VIII Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean

The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights comes to ILO for technical exchanges on the business and human rights agenda
Group photo of participants in the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights

The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights comes to ILO for technical exchanges on the business and human rights agenda

News and articles

New ILO report urges efforts to strengthen responsible business practices in Thailand's automotive sector
Thailand's automotive industry is strong in key areas like wages and social protection coverage.

New ILO report urges efforts to strengthen responsible business practices in Thailand's automotive sector

DA, DOLE lead aquaculture project advisory on decent work and responsible business conduct
Placeholder image

DA, DOLE lead aquaculture project advisory on decent work and responsible business conduct

Highlighted publications

Promoting gender equality through responsible business conduct: the role of governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations
Publication cover

ILO brief

Promoting gender equality through responsible business conduct: the role of governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations

The linkages between international labour standards, the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights
Publication cover

Briefing note

The linkages between international labour standards, the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights

Publications

Decent work and responsible business practices in Thailand’s automotive manufacturing sector

Tripartism and social dialogue

Decent work and responsible business practices in Thailand’s automotive manufacturing sector

Engaging multinational enterprises on more and better jobs

Engaging multinational enterprises on more and better jobs

Q2/2023 Update on the implementation of EU-funded projects in Viet Nam

Q2/2023 Update on the implementation of EU-funded projects in Viet Nam

Highlighted projects

Human Rights Due Diligence in support of Decent Work (HRDD4DW)
A smiling woman with a hard hat.

Human Rights Due Diligence in support of Decent Work (HRDD4DW)

Responsible Business Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean (RBCLAC)
A salesperson sitting by a market stall with flowers.

Responsible Business Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean (RBCLAC)

Building Responsible Value Chains in Asia through the Promotion of Decent Work in Business Operations
A woman focused on sewing with a sewing machine.

Building Responsible Value Chains in Asia through the Promotion of Decent Work in Business Operations

Trade for Decent Work Project
A woman smiling at the camera and working with fabrics.

Trade for Decent Work Project

Projects

Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Supply Chains Asia (RISSC) in Thailand

Tripartism and social dialogue

Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Supply Chains Asia (RISSC) in Thailand

Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Supply Chains (RISSC) in the Philippines

Tripartism and social dialogue

Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Supply Chains (RISSC) in the Philippines

Highlighted training resources

International Labour Standards and Responsible Business Conduct: The Labour Dimension of Human Rights Due Diligence
Multiple hard hats suspended on a wall.

International Labour Standards and Responsible Business Conduct: The Labour Dimension of Human Rights Due Diligence

Responsible business conduct and child labour
A child carrying a bucket and a shovel on a construction site.

Responsible business conduct and child labour

Gender equality, responsible business conduct and human rights due diligence
Illustration of different people connected by a line.

Gender equality, responsible business conduct and human rights due diligence

Contact

For more information, contact the ILO's Multinational Enterprises and Responsible Business Conduct Unit at multi@ilo.org.

Related topics

Supply chains
Shipping containers wait for transport at port

Supply chains

Multinational enterprises
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Multinational enterprises

Sustainable enterprises
A market stand showing a wide range of produce.

Sustainable enterprises