The MNE Declaration is the only ILO instrument that provides direct guidance to enterprises (multinational and national) on social policy and inclusive, responsible and sustainable workplace practices. Its principles are addressed not only to multinational and national enterprises, but also to the governments of the home and host countries of multinational enterprises (MNEs), as well as employers’ and workers’ organizations. The principles cover employment, training, living and working conditions, industrial relations and general policies. It is the only global instrument in this area that has been drawn up and adopted by governments, employers and workers from around the world.
The MNE Declaration paves the way for cross-border dialogue by providing guidance to governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations of the home and host countries of MNEs on social policies to further social progress and decent work. The MNE Declaration specifically encourages both host and home country governments of multinational enterprises to have consultations with each other, whenever the need arises, on the initiative of either (home-host country dialogues – paragraph 12 of the MNE Declaration).
To promote the implementation of the principles of the MNE Declaration by all parties, a set of operational tools have been adopted, most of which create opportunities for bipartite or tripartite social dialogue across borders. The promotion of these principles by national focal points appointed on a tripartite basis at the national level, is one of these operational tools.
Recognizing that enhancing the impact and contribution of the principles of the MNE Declaration to inclusive growth and decent work at the country level requires firm commitment from the tripartite constituents, national constituents – governments, employers and workers – are encouraged to appoint national focal points on a tripartite basis (taking guidance from Convention No. 144) to promote the use of the MNE Declaration and its principles, whenever appropriate and meaningful in the national context.
The national focal points may wish to organize tripartite-plus dialogue platforms for the tripartite constituents and multinational enterprises to discuss opportunities and identify challenges presented by operations of multinational enterprises in the national context. Such dialogues could also encompass dialogues between home and host countries, as outlined in paragraph 12 of the MNE Declaration.
For national focal points appointed and their activities – see here.