India’s Employers, Workers Unveil Roadmap for Responsible Business

The Roadmap was presented in the presence of International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, underscoring its national and global significance.

Employers’ and workers’ organizations in India have jointly launched a landmark Bipartite Roadmap on Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) for Decent Work, marking a major step toward strengthening labour standards and social dialogue across enterprises and supply chains.

The Roadmap was presented in the presence of International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, underscoring its national and global significance.

Developed through a structured year-long engagement process, the initiative reflects a rare and coordinated commitment by both social partners to advance fair, inclusive and sustainable business practices.

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A Year of Structured Dialogue Leads to Joint Action

The roadmap is the outcome of consultations throughout 2025 between employers’ organizations and trade unions, supported by the ILO programme “Building Responsible Value Chains in Asia through the Promotion of Decent Work in Business Operations,” funded by the Government of Japan.

The joint framework outlines shared priorities and coordinated actions to promote Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) across enterprises — including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

Key focus areas include:

• Fair employment practices

• Occupational safety and health

• Non-discrimination and inclusion

• Social protection

• Green and digital transitions

• Strengthened social dialogue mechanisms

Six employers’ organizations and six workers’ organizations have already committed to implementing the roadmap, with additional groups expected to join.

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Strengthening Labour Standards and Industrial Relations

Speaking at the event, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo praised the collaborative approach.

“The steps taken here in India contribute to the global movement by demonstrating how dialogue between employers and workers can identify shared priorities and translate them into practical cooperation,” he said.

Houngbo emphasized that Responsible Business Conduct for Decent Work contributes to:

• Respecting and enabling core labour rights

• Strengthening industrial relations

• Promoting meaningful social dialogue

• Supporting sustainable development and inclusive growth

He noted that the initiative aligns closely with the ILO-led Global Coalition for Social Justice.

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Operationalizing Responsible Business Conduct

The roadmap sets out practical measures for implementation, including:

• Capacity-building initiatives for enterprises and workers

• Structured dialogue platforms

• Policy advocacy efforts

• Mechanisms to improve workplace cooperation

Michiko Miyamoto, Director of the ILO Decent Work Team for South Asia and Country Office for India, described the roadmap as a foundation for long-term collaboration.

“This roadmap is the beginning of a journey that has been made possible by joint prioritization and collaboration among employers’ and workers’ organizations,” she said.

“It provides a practical framework for joint action and reflects the trust built through sustained dialogue.”

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Aligning with Global Supply Chain Expectations

As India continues to expand its role in global value chains — particularly in manufacturing, services and technology — Responsible Business Conduct is increasingly seen as critical to maintaining competitiveness and meeting international labour standards.

By embedding RBC principles across supply chains, the initiative aims to:

• Improve workplace conditions

• Enhance compliance with international labour standards

• Support sustainable and responsible enterprise growth

• Strengthen India’s global economic positioning

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A Model for Social Dialogue in Action

The Joint Roadmap, officially launched on 29 January 2026, positions India as an example of how bipartite cooperation can address complex labour and sustainability challenges through dialogue rather than confrontation.

The ILO says the initiative demonstrates that employers and workers, when engaged constructively, can develop practical solutions that advance decent work while supporting business resilience.

As more organizations sign on, the roadmap is expected to drive broader adoption of responsible business practices across India’s diverse economic sectors.