Bayer and Pernod Ricard Join ILO Network to Advance Global Disability Inclusion

With businesses increasingly recognising the ethical, social, and economic importance of inclusive workplaces, the network continues to expand, strengthening global momentum for disability rights.

Bayer and Pernod Ricard have officially become the latest multinational enterprise members of the ILO Global Business and Disability Network (GBDN), joining in the last quarter of 2025. Their membership reflects a growing global commitment among leading corporations to advance disability inclusion in workplaces and strengthen equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The ILO GBDN is a unique international platform committed to fostering inclusive employment practices. It currently brings together 45 multinational companies, 47 National Business and Disability Networks, and 7 associate non-business members, including the International Disability Alliance (IDA). Collectively, these members work to identify barriers, share best practices, and promote disability-inclusive corporate cultures across industries and regions.

With businesses increasingly recognising the ethical, social, and economic importance of inclusive workplaces, the network continues to expand, strengthening global momentum for disability rights.

Membership Formalised Through the ILO GBDN Charter

To formalise their entry into the network, senior leadership from both Bayer and Pernod Ricard signed the ILO GBDN Charter, which outlines Ten Principles for the effective inclusion of persons with disabilities. These principles guide companies toward accessible recruitment, non-discrimination policies, inclusive leadership, workplace adjustments, and active engagement with employees with disabilities.

Signing the Charter represents a public and strategic commitment to advancing disability inclusion across all levels of corporate operations.

Corporate Leaders Highlight Their Inclusion Vision

On the occasion of the Charter signing, Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer, underscored that inclusion is central to Bayer’s identity:

“Joining the ILO Global Business and Disability Network isn’t just a box we tick. It’s about who we are. At Bayer, we want a workplace that reflects the diversity of the people we serve and where everyone feels, ‘This is my company.’ That means bringing your best self to work and knowing you belong.”

Alexandre Ricard, CEO of Pernod Ricard, affirmed his company’s long-standing commitment to employee wellbeing:

“At Pernod Ricard, faithful to our purpose ‘createurs de convivialité’, we are committed to supporting our employees throughout their working time with us, regardless of the health or disability situations they are going through today and tomorrow.”

Both companies emphasised that disability inclusion is not a compliance requirement, but a fundamental part of building equitable, diverse, and resilient corporate cultures.

Strengthening Global Disability Inclusion

With Bayer and Pernod Ricard now part of the network, the GBDN continues to expand its global influence, offering companies access to expert guidance, knowledge-sharing forums, and evidence-based tools to improve accessibility and inclusion. The growing membership demonstrates increasing awareness that disability inclusion is essential to innovation, employee engagement, and business sustainability.

The ILO welcomes the continued expansion of the network, strengthening its mission to ensure that workplaces worldwide become more inclusive, more equitable, and better aligned with the principles of social justice and decent work for all.