Tripartite Declaration of principles concerning multinational enterprises and social policy

The Tripartite Declaration is an international agreement whose aim is to 'encourage the positive contribution which multinational enterprises can make to economic and social progress and to minimize and resolve the difficulties to which their various operations may give rise'.

In essence, the declaration, developed by the ILO (complementary to ILO conventions) and agreed to by a number of national governments, is an agreement to encourage high ethical standards in international business. The particular focus of this declaration is businesses that have operations outside the country in which they are based. Effectively, it is encouraging businesses to uphold their own high national standards in all countries they operate. (i.e. adhere to high labour standards even in countries where the national law does not enforce it). Broadly, the declaration breaks these agreements down into 3 main areas:

1. Employment:
   a) Promote employment (particularly in developing countries)
   b) Equality of opportunity and treatment
   c) Security of employment
   d) Training
2. Conditions of Work and Life
   a) Wages, benefits and conditions of work
   b) Minimum age
   c) Safety and Health
3. Industrial Relations
   a) Freedom of association and the right to organize
   b) Collective Bargaining
   c) Consultation (regular consultation on issues of mutual concern between business and their employees)
   d) Examination of grievances
   e) Settlement of industrial disputes
   
   This document is central to good supply chain management.