Labour

There are many different ways in which signatories and members can approach implementing the Labour Principle within its organisational strategy and business plans. Covering may issues areas ranging from forced and child labour through to discrimination, the Labour Principle is also tied together with the Principles of Anti-Corruption and Human Rights

The Global Compact's labour principles are derived from the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998):

  • Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
  • Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
  • Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
  • Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

The Origin of the Labour Principles

The four labour principles of the Global Compact are taken from the International Labour Organization's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. This Declaration was adopted in 1998 by the International Labour Conference, a yearly tripartite meeting that brings together governments, employers and workers from 177 countries. The Declaration calls upon all ILO Member States to apply the principles in line with the original intent of the core Conventions on which it is based. 

Consensus now exists that all countries, regardless of level of economic development, cultural values, or ratifications of the relevant ILO Conventions, have an obligation to respect, promote, and realize these fundamental principles and rights. At the G8 Meeting in Evian, France, in 2003, the leaders of the industrialized world encouraged companies to work with other parties to implement the Declaration. 

The Principles and Rights identified in the ILO Declaration comprise the labour portion of the Global Compact. They are:

  • The aim of the ILO is to harness the support of the business community for these principles through the Global Compact. The labour 
  • principles deal with fundamental principles in the workplace and the challenge for business is to take these universally accepted values and apply them at the company level.

Principle Three

  • Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;

Principle Four

  • the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;

Principle Five

  • the effective abolition of child labour; and

Principle Six

  • eliminate discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

"The labour principles of the UN Global Compact may be among the most specific of the initiative’s ten principles, but that does not mean that they are the easiest to implement. Many companies face difficulties in knowing what is expected of them and what more can be done to uphold these principles." Georg Kell, Executive Director, UNGC

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