The ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations, alongside the Chairs of UN human rights Treaty Bodies and the Chair of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, held a historic joint meeting to affirm the central role of labour rights within the broader framework of universal human rights. This first-of-its-kind gathering brought together international experts to exchange experiences and explore how their respective mandates can complement one another in advancing both human rights and labour rights globally. Participants called on governments to uphold these rights and reminded businesses of their responsibility to respect them, while emphasizing the need for effective remedies and access to justice.
Mr. Alain Lacabarats, Chairperson of the ILO Committee of Experts, welcomed the opportunity for dialogue, highlighting the importance of sharing good practices and strengthening cooperation. Mr. Changrok Soh, Chair of the Human Rights Committee, stressed that labour rights are human rights and underlined the need to ensure that the core pillars of the business and human rights agenda—state duty to protect, corporate responsibility to respect, and access to remedy—are implemented in practice.
Ms. Pichamon Yeophantong, Chair of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, emphasized the potential of joint action to prevent business-related human rights abuses by strengthening corporate responsibility. Experts from multiple Treaty Bodies, including CESCR, CEDAW, CED, CRPD, and SPT, highlighted the synergies between their mandates and the importance of integrating labour rights and human rights standards into business practices.
The meeting showcased several initiatives demonstrating these synergies, including a stocktake of National Action Plans in Southeast Asia, joint guidance on disability inclusion in Human Rights Due Diligence, technical work on the gendered impacts of digitalization, and clarifying due diligence obligations for companies operating detention facilities. These efforts aim to strengthen the practical implementation of international labour standards and human rights obligations.
Ms. Joo-Young Lee, ILO focal point in CESCR, noted that Treaty Bodies’ work complements ILO and UN Working Group efforts, collectively reinforcing the integration of human rights into business activities. The collaboration builds on longstanding alignment between the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, supporting the realization of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
