Employers’ and workers’ organizations in India have taken a significant step in promoting Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) for decent work with the presentation of a Bipartite Roadmap, in the presence of ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo. The roadmap is the result of a year-long engagement between these social partners and outlines shared priorities and joint actions to advance RBC across enterprises, including micro, small, and medium-sized businesses. It focuses on fair employment practices, occupational safety and health, non-discrimination, social protection, green and digital transitions, and strengthened social dialogue mechanisms.
The roadmap was jointly presented by representatives of employers and workers, emphasizing collaboration to advance decent work, strengthen industrial relations, and align national frameworks with international labour standards. Director-General Houngbo highlighted that the initiative contributes to the global movement by demonstrating how dialogue between employers and workers can identify shared priorities and translate them into practical cooperation. He noted that RBC supports core labour rights, sustainable development, inclusive growth, and the vision of the Global Coalition for Social Justice.
Social partners committed to strengthening labour standards, fostering social dialogue, and promoting sustainable and responsible business practices across enterprises and their supply chains. The roadmap outlines how employers’ and workers’ organizations will engage in capacity-building initiatives, policy advocacy, and dialogues to operationalize RBC principles and enhance workplace cooperation.
Michiko Miyamoto, ILO Director for South Asia and India, described the roadmap as a practical framework for joint action, reflecting the trust built through sustained dialogue. She emphasized that bipartite cooperation enables collaborative solutions to complex challenges and encourages businesses to adopt responsible practices.
The roadmap was developed under the ILO programme “Building Responsible Value Chains in Asia through the Promotion of Decent Work in Business Operations,” supported by the Government of Japan. Consultations with trade unions and employer organizations throughout 2025 led to the creation of the roadmap, which was officially launched on 29 January 2026. Six employers’ organizations and six workers’ organizations have already committed to taking action, with more expected to join this collaborative initiative.
