Responsible Business Conduct, Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
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Responsible Business Conduct, Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
27 April–15 May 2026
The course is available in English
Introduction to the course
Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining are fundamental principles and rights at work. They are also central to responsible business conduct (RBC) and to effective human rights due diligence (HRDD) in global supply chains. In practice, however, companies and other stakeholders often face complex questions on how to respect these rights across different legal, institutional and operational contexts. The course draws on ILO standards and guidance, including the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) and tools developed by the ILO Helpdesk for Business.
Who attends this course?
- Enterprises, including staff working on sustainability/ESG, compliance, human resources, industrial relations, procurement, sourcing, legal and internal audit. - Employer and business membership organizations; trade unions and workers' organizations. - Procurement agencies and development finance institutions involved in responsible sourcing and investment requirements. - Line ministries and public agencies with mandates related to labour, trade, procurement, justice and human rights. - National human rights institutions, academia, UN agencies and other stakeholders supporting responsible business conduct initiatives.
What you will learn?
- The critical international labour standards on freedom of association and collective bargaining.
- How to translate standards into practice through policies, supplier engagement, industrial relations and human rights due diligence processes in different legal contexts.
- How to identify risks and early warning signs of interference, anti-union discrimination and barriers to collective bargaining.
- How to engage meaningfully with workers and their representatives and support good-faith collective bargaining.
- How to strengthen grievance mechanisms, remediation and dispute resolution options.
Who should attend this course?
- Enterprises, including staff working on sustainability/ESG, compliance, human resources, industrial relations, procurement, sourcing, legal and internal audit.
- Employer and business membership organizations; trade unions and workers’ organizations.
- Procurement agencies and development finance institutions involved in responsible sourcing and investment requirements.
- Line ministries and public agencies with mandates related to labour, trade, procurement, justice, and human rights.
- National human rights institutions, academia, UN agencies and other stakeholders supporting responsible business conduct initiatives.
How the course works
Self-guided learning on the ITCILO eCampus (24/7 access during the course period).
Live sessions and moderated peer exchange.
Short quizzes and practical activities to support application to your context.
Final assignment: a short, practice-oriented deliverable (e.g., HRDD component on freedom of association and collective bargaining).
Certificate
Participants who successfully complete the course requirements receive an ITCILO Certificate of Participation.
Contact
Email: fundamentals@itcilo.org | mne-rbc@itcilo.org
