Update on the programme to give an orientation on international labour standards, the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy and other related matters

The Governing Body requested the Office to start implementation of a helpdesk as outlined in GB.301/MNE/2, taking into account the views expressed by the Subcommittee in its discussion of this agenda item as reflected in the report of the Subcommittee, and to refer any related financial questions to the Programme, Financial and Administrative Committee. (GB.301/12(Rev.), paragraph 7.)

Proposal for evaluating the effect given to the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy

The Governing Body decided:

(a) to set aside the decision taken at its 297th Session to conduct a Ninth Survey on the effect given to the MNE Declaration in the 2008–09 biennium;

(b) to suspend, for the time necessary to consider the strategic decisions relevant to alternatives to the current survey methodology, the decision taken at its 258th Session to conduct surveys every four years and, in the meantime, complete the exercise proposed;

(c) to request the Office to evaluate the exercise indicated in document GB.301/MNE/4 and report its findings to the Subcommittee on Multinational Enterprises in order to inform the decision to be taken on modalities for evaluating the effect given to the MNE Declaration; and

(d) to make a decision, no later than at its November 2009 session, on whether and on how to proceed with evaluating the effect given to the MNE Declaration in the light of the International Labour Conference resolution (65th Session).

(GB.301/12(Rev.); paragraph 15.)

Strategic priorities for 2008–09

Updates on corporate social responsibility (CSR)-related activities: (a) Within the ILO; and (b) Within other organizations

The Governing Body took note of these sections of the report. (GB.301/12(Rev.), paragraphs 16–31.)