Supply chains
Supply chains can be an engine of development, especially when they promote technology transfers and the adoption of new production practices, which in turn can enable higher value-added activities requiring enhanced skills, productivity and competitiveness. At the same time, aspects of supply chains have raised concerns about their impact on working conditions and the protection of workers’ rights.
With its mandate, experience and expertise in the world of work, its normative approach to development and its tripartite structure, the ILO is uniquely positioned to promote decent work in supply chains. The ILO provides guidance and support to Member States and tripartite constituents by using all available ILO means of action to ensure decent work in supply chains, actively pursuing social dialogue and promoting, respecting and realizing the fundamental principles and rights at work in supply chains.
ILO strategy on decent work in supply chains
Featured content
Brief
The wine supply chain in Chile Lessons to analyse and improve regulatory compliance
News
#CoffeePeople documentary highlights hazards in coffee supply chain
Event
National Industry Dialogue for responsible and sustainable electronics supply chains in Indonesia
News and articles
Press release
National dialogue develops a pathway to strengthen responsible business in Indonesia’s electronics industry
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International Year of Cooperatives
ILO advances dairy value chain in Ethiopia by strengthening cooperatives
Key resources
Service
ILO Helpdesk for Business on International Labour Standards
The ILO Helpdesk for Business is a one-stop shop for company managers and workers on how to better align business operations with international labour standards and build good industrial relations.
Support and guidance
Responsible Business Conduct and the MNE Declaration
The MNE Declaration is a key reference point on responsible business conduct, expressing clear expectations on how companies can act responsibly and providing direct guidance to enterprises on social policy and inclusive, responsible and sustainable workplace practices.
Database
Labour Provisions in Trade Agreements Hub
The Labour Provisions in Trade Agreements Hub (LP Hub) compiles labour provisions from over 100 regional trade agreements involving close to140 economies. The LP Hub is a data source to explore trends, variations, and the effectiveness of labour provisions in promoting fair labour practices across different trading relationships and regions.
Database
Forced Labour Observatory
This Forced Labour Observatory provides comprehensive global and country information on forced labour. The Forced Labour Observatory houses information pertaining to the following subject areas: International and National legal and institutional frameworks, Enforcement; Prevention (including fair recruitment and due diligence); Protection; Access to Justice; Remedies, and Cooperation.
Research highlights
Report
Integrating Trade and Decent Work – Volumes I and II
Report
Decent Work Supply Chain Survey - Pilot on the electronics supply chain in Viet Nam
Discussion Paper
Worker Voice and Labor Standards – Study of Participation Committees in Supply Chains
Publications
Putting the I in ESG
Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities as Strategic Advantage of Sustainability Practices for Corporates and Investors
Market systems development for decent work
Starting strong: Getting inception right in projects using the MSD approach
Research brief
Decent work and responsible business practices in Thailand’s automotive manufacturing sector
ILO projects on supply chains and decent work
Several ILO Development Cooperation projects and programmes address decent work in supply chains. Additional information can be found on the ILO’s Development Cooperation Dashboard which offers interactive visualisations of ILO projects worldwide.
Featured projects
ILO Flagship Programme
Better Work
Project
Vision Zero Fund
Project
Responsible Business Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean (RBCLAC)
Project
Human Rights Due Diligence in support of Decent Work (HRDD4DW)
Project
Accelerating action for the elimination of child labour in supply chains in Africa (ACCEL AFRICA)
Project
Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Supply Chains Asia (RISSC)
Partnerships and networks
ILO business networks
ILO business networks bring together businesses of all sizes and sectors to advance decent work objectives.
Global Coalition for Social Justice
The Global Coalition for Social Justice (GCSJ) brings together diverse stakeholders to foster multilateral cooperation and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), championing social justice on a global scale.
Ongoing and upcoming events
Event
National Industry Dialogue for responsible and sustainable electronics supply chains in Indonesia
ITCILO training courses on decent work in supply chains
The Turin Centre’s training courses on decent work in supply chains focus on building capacity to promote, respect and realize fundamental principles and rights at work, ensure worker protection, support job creation and drive sustainable development in supply chains.
Contact
For more information, contact the ILO's Action Programme on Decent Work in Supply Chains at supplychains@ilo.org.