Training

International labour standards and corporate social responsibility: the labour dimension of human rights due diligence

Online course aims to strengthen the capacity of participants to understand the principles of international labour standards as they relate to company operations (including due diligence related to labour rights) and how those principles can be most effectively implemented in company operations.

The course aims to strengthen the capacity of participants to understand the principles of ILS as they relate to company operations (including the labour dimension of human rights due diligence), and how these principles can be most effectively implemented in company operations along their supply chains. As a result of stakeholder expectations, reporting requirements, conditions for tendering and so on, companies are under increasing pressure to conduct due diligence on human-rights issues in own operations and with business partners in their supply chains. Labour rights have become a critical component and basic pillar of any due diligence process. However, proper due diligence on labour issues begins with a good understanding of what is expected of companies when it comes to respecting workers' rights. Drawing on the experience of the ILO Helpdesk for Business, participants will be provided with opportunities to discuss and debate some of the complex issues companies face when putting principles into practice, e.g. what to do when national law is not consistent with international labour standards; how to balance competing rights; what to do when the government is not fulfilling its duty to protect.

Target audience:

This course is designed for Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability professionals (in companies, consulting firms and CSR initiatives) seeking to align operations, including supply chains, with ILS principles or dealing on a daily basis with the challenge of respecting workers' rights. Managers of companies supplying to brands which are facing many, often conflicting demands may find this course particularly useful. This course will also be of interest to employers' organization and trade-union corporate social responsibility and sustainability professionals, and government officials, particularly those working in the field of public procurement.

Objectives:

The course's overall objective is to strengthen the capacity of participants to understand the principles of ILS as they relate to company operations and the implications for CSR and sustainability policies and practices geared towards decent work, sustainable development and respect for human rights.

At the end of the course, participants will:
  • be prepared to design due diligence frameworks for their businesses and institutions;
  • be familiar with ILO’s core labour standards (child labour, forced labour, non-discrimination, and freedom of association and collective bargaining), their function, formulation as well as implementation and other relevant ILO tools relevant from a CSR and sustainability perspective;
  • be able to analyse international corporate social responsibility policies through the lens of ILS;
  • be able to optimize due diligence processes to promote and respect workers’ rights.

More information and registration.